UN
United Nations Peacekeeping
9 Mar
2009
Press Review 21 March 2005
Today's local papers deal with various topics.
« Thomas Lubanga and one of his lieutenants arrested», Le Potentiel writes on its front page, indicating that « Thomas Lubanga and one of his lieutenants were reportedly jailed last weekend. ». It also says, « his arrest was not a surprise in so far as all the Ituri warlords and militiamen of the Integrationist nationalist Front/Front des nationalistes intégrationnistes are regarded as the masterminds in the killing of nine MONUC peacekeepers of the Bangladeshi contingent in Ituri district, Eastern Province, by the UN Mission as well as the DRC Justice». Le Potentiel considers Thomas Lubanga's arrest as «Congolese Government's response to the UN Secretary-General's recommendation from Brazzaville recently The UN Secretary-General requested, among other things, that Congolese authorities arrest, as soon as possible, all the warlords involved in the killing of the Bangladeshi peacekeepers ».
« Thomas Lubanga and one of his lieutenants arrested», Le Potentiel writes on its front page, indicating that « Thomas Lubanga and one of his lieutenants were reportedly jailed last weekend. ». It also says, « his arrest was not a surprise in so far as all the Ituri warlords and militiamen of the Integrationist nationalist Front/Front des nationalistes intégrationnistes are regarded as the masterminds in the killing of nine MONUC peacekeepers of the Bangladeshi contingent in Ituri district, Eastern Province, by the UN Mission as well as the DRC Justice». Le Potentiel considers Thomas Lubanga's arrest as «Congolese Government's response to the UN Secretary-General's recommendation from Brazzaville recently The UN Secretary-General requested, among other things, that Congolese authorities arrest, as soon as possible, all the warlords involved in the killing of the Bangladeshi peacekeepers ».
« Georges Bush and Guy Vershostadt discuss DRC elections», L'Observateur says, echoing diplomatic sources as revealing that «Belgium prime minister is scheduled to meet with President Georges Bush and the American Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice in Washington ». The paper says, «their talks will focus on the progress of the DRC transition and its impact on peace and security in the great lakes region, not to mention the priorities and timing to be set for the DRC transition to effectively lead to the organisation of free and democratic elections as soon as possible». Referring to the elections, Le Potentiel publishes the results of a poll conducted by Facilitas Consulting. « If elections should be held during the first quarter of the current year, Mr. Etienne Tshisekedi, UDPS national leader would be the winner», the paper reports. Concerning the leader of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), Le Phare alerts on its front-page « Etienne Tshisekedi is under house arrest». Echoing an official note from this party, the paper adds, « Messrs Etienne Tshisekedi and Remy Massamba are apparently under house arrest, in so far as there is a permanent presence of police force at the entrance of their residence».
The adoption of the draft constitution by the Senate Thursday surfaces on Le Palmarès' front page « Constitution: a battle in the offing between the National Assembly and the Senate», the paper alerts on its front page, indicating that there will be no « appeal to a commission in case of disagreement between both chambers regarding the post-transition constitution». Le Palmarès says, «any alteration by the National Assembly on the post-transition constitution will be subjected to the Congolese people for adoption or rejection through referendum». L'Avenir, for its part, goes back over the adoption of the draft constitution by senators. With its headlines that read: « Ruberwa and Bemba sacrificed by their MPs», the paper reveals, «contrary to ex-government' s senators who remained constant, the others just sacrificed their leaders».
The adoption of the draft constitution by the Senate Thursday surfaces on Le Palmarès' front page « Constitution: a battle in the offing between the National Assembly and the Senate», the paper alerts on its front page, indicating that there will be no « appeal to a commission in case of disagreement between both chambers regarding the post-transition constitution». Le Palmarès says, «any alteration by the National Assembly on the post-transition constitution will be subjected to the Congolese people for adoption or rejection through referendum». L'Avenir, for its part, goes back over the adoption of the draft constitution by senators. With its headlines that read: « Ruberwa and Bemba sacrificed by their MPs», the paper reveals, «contrary to ex-government' s senators who remained constant, the others just sacrificed their leaders».
