UN
United Nations Peacekeeping
9 Mar
2009
Press Review 19 January 2005
Today's local papers cover various issues relating to the DRC transition process.
LE POTENTIEL stresses straight off the ''fateful date'' for the DRC transition: 1st February 2005, when the MLC ultimatum expires, recalling MLC's warning that ''if by 31 January its demands are not met, it will merely pull out of the transition's institutions''. The paper notes that such a situation could lead to pernicious consequences should the MLC threat materialise, highlighting that this would entail some legal consequences for it is clearly set out in the all-inclusive agreement that ''transition institutions are governed by consensual, inclusive and conflict-free principles''. The paper therefore says that if MLC pulls out of the transition institutions, ''all the provisions making up the legal framework for the transition would become obsolete in so far as MLC would no longer be bound by any decision made after it has pulled out''.
LE PALMARES says ''the tense relations between Joseph Kabila and Jean-Pierre Bemba are far from being defused''. The situation deteriorated after president Kabila has decided to dissolve the famous ''restrictive line of expenses'' led by Jean-Pierre Bemba and ordered the closing of two MLC leader's TV and radio channels. Calling the decision illegal, Jean-Pierre Bemba allegedly issued an ultimatum to the Minister of Information to reopen the above medias.
L'OBSERVATEUR echoes RCD's leader, Vice-President Azarias Ruberwa's reaction to the MLC's threat to pull out of the Transition's institutions. Vice-president Ruberwa describes MLC's move as ''unrealistic and anti-constitutional'', the paper reports, further indicating that for Ruberwa, ''MLC must remain in the transition's institutions and submit its claims to the other political stakeholders of the various institutions instead of staying out of the transition's process''.
LE PHARE, in turn, mentions a genuine ''anti-Kabila wave''. In an article titled: DRC-Congo: Opposition movements awake, the paper notes ''the boiling disputes and hypocrisy are now out''. President Kabila ' comes under his first ghost town ordeal', the paper writes, warning that ''his opponents have promised a few more''.
Transition process was discussed Tuesday by the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for the DRC, William Swing and UDPS leader, Etienne Tshisekedi, LA TEMPETE DES TROPIQUES reports. Asked by the paper about MONUC's scheme in the event the elections were not held by 30 June 2005, Mr. Swing responded: ''our mandate is to help the DRC government and the electoral commission to organise credible elections and the transition process is proceeding as before''. The paper notices that MONUC chief and CIAT have declined to give a clear position on the dates of the elections will be held.
In this context L'AVENIR announces that Rwanda has sent 12,000 troops to reinvade Walikale in DRC. ''On 14 January, 14 vehicles were seen heading for Masisi and Rutshuru, Walikale being its final destination'', the paper writes, adding that the vehicles were transporting 4,000 troops to Nyabiondo to join the other 8,000 Rwandan troops positioned there. The paper further indicates that on 14 January, the administrator of the Masisi territory distributed weapons to the kinyarwanda-speaking population.
LE PALMARES says ''the tense relations between Joseph Kabila and Jean-Pierre Bemba are far from being defused''. The situation deteriorated after president Kabila has decided to dissolve the famous ''restrictive line of expenses'' led by Jean-Pierre Bemba and ordered the closing of two MLC leader's TV and radio channels. Calling the decision illegal, Jean-Pierre Bemba allegedly issued an ultimatum to the Minister of Information to reopen the above medias.
L'OBSERVATEUR echoes RCD's leader, Vice-President Azarias Ruberwa's reaction to the MLC's threat to pull out of the Transition's institutions. Vice-president Ruberwa describes MLC's move as ''unrealistic and anti-constitutional'', the paper reports, further indicating that for Ruberwa, ''MLC must remain in the transition's institutions and submit its claims to the other political stakeholders of the various institutions instead of staying out of the transition's process''.
LE PHARE, in turn, mentions a genuine ''anti-Kabila wave''. In an article titled: DRC-Congo: Opposition movements awake, the paper notes ''the boiling disputes and hypocrisy are now out''. President Kabila ' comes under his first ghost town ordeal', the paper writes, warning that ''his opponents have promised a few more''.
Transition process was discussed Tuesday by the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for the DRC, William Swing and UDPS leader, Etienne Tshisekedi, LA TEMPETE DES TROPIQUES reports. Asked by the paper about MONUC's scheme in the event the elections were not held by 30 June 2005, Mr. Swing responded: ''our mandate is to help the DRC government and the electoral commission to organise credible elections and the transition process is proceeding as before''. The paper notices that MONUC chief and CIAT have declined to give a clear position on the dates of the elections will be held.
In this context L'AVENIR announces that Rwanda has sent 12,000 troops to reinvade Walikale in DRC. ''On 14 January, 14 vehicles were seen heading for Masisi and Rutshuru, Walikale being its final destination'', the paper writes, adding that the vehicles were transporting 4,000 troops to Nyabiondo to join the other 8,000 Rwandan troops positioned there. The paper further indicates that on 14 January, the administrator of the Masisi territory distributed weapons to the kinyarwanda-speaking population.
