UN
United Nations Peacekeeping
9 Mar
2009
Press Review 16 May 2005
Thabo Mbeki's visit to Kinshasa is the dominant news in today's local press.
The headline in Le Potentiel reads: 'Thabo Mbeki to consult with Congolese political leadership.' The paper says, ' The South African President is determined to prevent the DRC boat from capsizing' and further indicates, ' Thabo Mbeki was clear enough in highlighting that the prolongation of the transition was constitutional,' echoing Modeste Bahati, the spokesman of the civil society delegation's statement.
For L'Observateur, this implies, 'the constitutional texts will be strictly implemented.' Briefing on the different consultations held by President Thabo Mbeki, the paper points out, 'President Mbeki will comply with the constitutional texts,' quoting Vice-President Z'Ahidi Ngoma. However, Le Potentiel notes, 'Political stakeholders must interact,' dixit the Vice-President for Political, Defence and Security matters, Azarias Ruberwa. Le Palmarès, in turn, writes, 'Though expected yesterday, Etienne Tshisekedi is to be received today.'
La Référence Plus says, ' Thabo Mbeki is sensitising Congolese politicians; He must first address the bone of contention between those in power and the political opposition out of power' and indicates, 'The South African President should restrict himself to the hard-secured all-inclusive agreement.' La Référence Plus predicts, 'The South African President will not initiate any debate over the text for fear of opening a Pandora box.'
La Tempête des Tropiques, in turn, headlines, ' Thabo Mbeki intends to appease the minds,' it says in its editorial, indicating, 'South African President will ask the transitional stakeholders in power faced with the political opposition's sanction to hand over power to hurry up in organising the elections at a date to be agreed upon by all parties.'
In this respect, Le Phare headlines: 'Thabo Mbeki's risky bet.' The paper says, ' South Africa risks seeing an important section of the national opinion disassociate themselves with it' and mentions, ' Thabo Mbeki's mission will be a failure if, on 30 June 2005, DRC if further divided and goes deep down into bipolarity. It will also be a failure if growing distrusts render impossible the organisation of credible, free, democratic and transparent elections.'
In another development, Le Palmarès headlines: 'Joseph Kabila to address the nation today.' According to the paper, 'he will attempt to defuse the grave crisis looming in the horizon.' Le Palmarès also says, 'Kabila will announce government restructuring with a view to meeting Congolese people's expectations, the 1+4 architecture having not brought them any happiness.'
Reporting on the marking of the 1st Anniversary of the Act of Engagement for peace by the leaders of the Ituri militia groups, Le Potentiel writes, 'This is no more time for war but peace,' quoting Vice-President Azarias Ruberwa. The paper also stresses, 'The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for the DRC, Mr. William Swing urged all the militia members to turn their eyes towards the future.'
Moreover, Le Potentiel notes, 'UN peacekeepers' determination to help their Congolese colleagues build a new national and organised army in their merging and training centres,' quoting MONUC Force Commander, General Babacar Gaye's statement.
For L'Observateur, this implies, 'the constitutional texts will be strictly implemented.' Briefing on the different consultations held by President Thabo Mbeki, the paper points out, 'President Mbeki will comply with the constitutional texts,' quoting Vice-President Z'Ahidi Ngoma. However, Le Potentiel notes, 'Political stakeholders must interact,' dixit the Vice-President for Political, Defence and Security matters, Azarias Ruberwa. Le Palmarès, in turn, writes, 'Though expected yesterday, Etienne Tshisekedi is to be received today.'
La Référence Plus says, ' Thabo Mbeki is sensitising Congolese politicians; He must first address the bone of contention between those in power and the political opposition out of power' and indicates, 'The South African President should restrict himself to the hard-secured all-inclusive agreement.' La Référence Plus predicts, 'The South African President will not initiate any debate over the text for fear of opening a Pandora box.'
La Tempête des Tropiques, in turn, headlines, ' Thabo Mbeki intends to appease the minds,' it says in its editorial, indicating, 'South African President will ask the transitional stakeholders in power faced with the political opposition's sanction to hand over power to hurry up in organising the elections at a date to be agreed upon by all parties.'
In this respect, Le Phare headlines: 'Thabo Mbeki's risky bet.' The paper says, ' South Africa risks seeing an important section of the national opinion disassociate themselves with it' and mentions, ' Thabo Mbeki's mission will be a failure if, on 30 June 2005, DRC if further divided and goes deep down into bipolarity. It will also be a failure if growing distrusts render impossible the organisation of credible, free, democratic and transparent elections.'
In another development, Le Palmarès headlines: 'Joseph Kabila to address the nation today.' According to the paper, 'he will attempt to defuse the grave crisis looming in the horizon.' Le Palmarès also says, 'Kabila will announce government restructuring with a view to meeting Congolese people's expectations, the 1+4 architecture having not brought them any happiness.'
Reporting on the marking of the 1st Anniversary of the Act of Engagement for peace by the leaders of the Ituri militia groups, Le Potentiel writes, 'This is no more time for war but peace,' quoting Vice-President Azarias Ruberwa. The paper also stresses, 'The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for the DRC, Mr. William Swing urged all the militia members to turn their eyes towards the future.'
Moreover, Le Potentiel notes, 'UN peacekeepers' determination to help their Congolese colleagues build a new national and organised army in their merging and training centres,' quoting MONUC Force Commander, General Babacar Gaye's statement.
