UN
United Nations Peacekeeping
4 Mar
2009
Press Review
The Ituri military situation and MONUC activities in the DR Congo are the lead in today's local press in Kinshasa.
Le Potentiel announces a possible attack by the Interahamwe on the civilian population in Ituri. The paper quotes Radio Okapi and the Catholic Misna news Agency as reporting that « serious incidents allegedly occurred during the last forty eight hours; the incidents are said to be caused by the Interahamwe militias. A group of Interahamwe hutus reportedly attacked a village and killed a dozen civilians. »
An accusatory finger is also pointed at Commander Jérôme, leader of the Congolese Armed Forces (FAPC). It is said that this armed movement, deployed in the Aru-Mahagi zone, 70 km from Bunia, is opposed to the disarmament program. « The rebel chief made it clear to a government delegation from Kinshasa that the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) of the Congolese armed groups could not be carried out by using of force. He warned that anyone trying to disarm his troops would face their resistance. The FAPC (Congolese Armed Force) insists upon a total integration of its combatants into the Congolese armed Forces (FADERC), which is the Congolese national army» explains Misna echoed by Le Potentiel.
In Bunia, the provincial town of the Ituri district, « life is picking up gradually, despite the obsessive fear of new fights» says L'Observateur. The paper's special envoy speaks of « an Olympian calm in a town where trade and transport are going on normally, and the population are attending to its business. »
As regards MONUC activities, La Référence Plus publishes the Mission's Force Commander, general Mountaga Diallo's interview to IRIN; General Diallo is leaving the DRC after completing his nearly four-year tour of duty. The outgoing MONUC Force declares « the peace process has made major breakthrough in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. » Referring to the political situation, General Diallo declared himself «persuaded that the Congolese will be able to lead their country to a new political order after the elections due in two years. » He is quite sure that his successor « will smoothly accompany the country up to the elections. »
In another development, Forum des As, announces in its headlines « A Congolese Assistant to William Swing » The paper indicates, « the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General may be assigned a Congolese assistant'to best sort out the political problems facing the country' » It quotes a member of the Congolese Rally for Democracy without revealing his name as declaring, « the opinion is divided on this issue. The appointment could be a positive thing in so far as an assistant to Mr. Swing would help him to better present the Congolese dossiers abroad, more particularly to the Eastern world. » However, «MLC's circle (Movement for the Liberation of the DRC) cannot understand the reasons for such an appointment which is not provided for in the All-inclusive Agreement. »
An accusatory finger is also pointed at Commander Jérôme, leader of the Congolese Armed Forces (FAPC). It is said that this armed movement, deployed in the Aru-Mahagi zone, 70 km from Bunia, is opposed to the disarmament program. « The rebel chief made it clear to a government delegation from Kinshasa that the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) of the Congolese armed groups could not be carried out by using of force. He warned that anyone trying to disarm his troops would face their resistance. The FAPC (Congolese Armed Force) insists upon a total integration of its combatants into the Congolese armed Forces (FADERC), which is the Congolese national army» explains Misna echoed by Le Potentiel.
In Bunia, the provincial town of the Ituri district, « life is picking up gradually, despite the obsessive fear of new fights» says L'Observateur. The paper's special envoy speaks of « an Olympian calm in a town where trade and transport are going on normally, and the population are attending to its business. »
As regards MONUC activities, La Référence Plus publishes the Mission's Force Commander, general Mountaga Diallo's interview to IRIN; General Diallo is leaving the DRC after completing his nearly four-year tour of duty. The outgoing MONUC Force declares « the peace process has made major breakthrough in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. » Referring to the political situation, General Diallo declared himself «persuaded that the Congolese will be able to lead their country to a new political order after the elections due in two years. » He is quite sure that his successor « will smoothly accompany the country up to the elections. »
In another development, Forum des As, announces in its headlines « A Congolese Assistant to William Swing » The paper indicates, « the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General may be assigned a Congolese assistant'to best sort out the political problems facing the country' » It quotes a member of the Congolese Rally for Democracy without revealing his name as declaring, « the opinion is divided on this issue. The appointment could be a positive thing in so far as an assistant to Mr. Swing would help him to better present the Congolese dossiers abroad, more particularly to the Eastern world. » However, «MLC's circle (Movement for the Liberation of the DRC) cannot understand the reasons for such an appointment which is not provided for in the All-inclusive Agreement. »
