UN
United Nations Peacekeeping
10 Mar
2009
Press Review of 19 August 2005
Today's local press mainly focus on the ongoing electoral process.
'Joseph Kabila cornered by the International Community,' following delays in the voter identification and registration operations, Le Potentiel, close to the political opposition, writes on its front page. The paper highlights, 'The international community is seriously concerned by the delay in the convening of Parliament's extraordinary session, continued insecurity in Kivu and Ituri and a premature launch of the electoral campaign by some political parties,' and further indicates, 'Foreign partners fear an attempt by Congolese political stakeholders to seek another extension for the transition period (') Eight months away from the Transition's end; several observers are wondering whether the elections will be held within the prescribed time,' Le Potentiel says.
L'Avenir, close to PPRD, reports 'incidents at a voter identification and registration centre ISMT in Bipemba, Mbuji Mayi where students spent hours waiting to be registered (')Soldiers started asking them money to let them get registered which led to a clash (') Two people were injured in the incident.'
'196 parties signed the code of electoral conduct,' Le Palmarès, close to the political opposition, reports, 'Two parties' signatures are missing [UDPS and PPRD]. Embarrassed, CEI is 'trying to induce the two parties to sign the code of good conduct.' Le Potentiel, for its part, echoes Etienne Tshisekedi's political advisor, arguing, 'We refused to sign the code of conduct because the Minister of Interior authorised three UDPS to function.'
In other developments, Le Potentiel publishes the results of an opinion poll conducted by Facilitas Consulting in July, suggesting that if elections were held today, 'Etienne Tshisekedi would beat Joseph Kabila in the elections; of 1500 people interviewed, 419, say 26.5 % would vote for UDPS leader whilst 269, say 17% would vote for President Kabila.'
The headlines in L'Avenir read: 'the return of refugees to Eastern DRC is a hot issue.' A return amidst 'electoral strategies.' The paper quotes Mr. Jens Heseman of UNHCR as declaring, 'it would be difficult for all the refugees to participate in the voter identification and registration operations though the repatriation is coordinated with CEI.'
L'Observateur, pro-PPRD paper also comments on the situation in Eastern DRC, 'MONUC deplores the weaknesses of the merged units in several districts of eastern provinces, notably in the most landlocked areas that are still in looters' hands.'
In another development, La Tempête des Tropiques alerts, 'Civil servicemen are threatening the transition.' A threat they will translate into action if 'President Joseph Kabila fails to keep his promise to pay them 20% increment on their basic salary as well as transport and housing benefits,' the paper recalls.
L'Avenir, close to PPRD, reports 'incidents at a voter identification and registration centre ISMT in Bipemba, Mbuji Mayi where students spent hours waiting to be registered (')Soldiers started asking them money to let them get registered which led to a clash (') Two people were injured in the incident.'
'196 parties signed the code of electoral conduct,' Le Palmarès, close to the political opposition, reports, 'Two parties' signatures are missing [UDPS and PPRD]. Embarrassed, CEI is 'trying to induce the two parties to sign the code of good conduct.' Le Potentiel, for its part, echoes Etienne Tshisekedi's political advisor, arguing, 'We refused to sign the code of conduct because the Minister of Interior authorised three UDPS to function.'
In other developments, Le Potentiel publishes the results of an opinion poll conducted by Facilitas Consulting in July, suggesting that if elections were held today, 'Etienne Tshisekedi would beat Joseph Kabila in the elections; of 1500 people interviewed, 419, say 26.5 % would vote for UDPS leader whilst 269, say 17% would vote for President Kabila.'
The headlines in L'Avenir read: 'the return of refugees to Eastern DRC is a hot issue.' A return amidst 'electoral strategies.' The paper quotes Mr. Jens Heseman of UNHCR as declaring, 'it would be difficult for all the refugees to participate in the voter identification and registration operations though the repatriation is coordinated with CEI.'
L'Observateur, pro-PPRD paper also comments on the situation in Eastern DRC, 'MONUC deplores the weaknesses of the merged units in several districts of eastern provinces, notably in the most landlocked areas that are still in looters' hands.'
In another development, La Tempête des Tropiques alerts, 'Civil servicemen are threatening the transition.' A threat they will translate into action if 'President Joseph Kabila fails to keep his promise to pay them 20% increment on their basic salary as well as transport and housing benefits,' the paper recalls.
