UN / MONUC

The UN Secretary General "is also concerned about the humanitarian consequences generated by insecurity in eastern DRC" and is deeply disturbed by the news that "70,000 Congolese have fled their homes," reports La Tempête des Tropiques.

"Placed under chapter VII of the UN charter, MONUC must back FARDC's operations for the restoration of a stable environment throughout the country," writes the paper, indicating, "The UN Mission must push for talks between political players to consolidate the peace."

Security

- In other news, La Référence Plus reports "a raid " in "Minembwe," referring to "torched villages, looted cattle, rapes..." The paper urges the Government "to take urgent actions" to halt the "unnecessary war" and "assist the civilians living in the Hauts plateaux of Minembwe, victim of the atrocities."

- L`Observateur, for its part, announces that "the new national programme (DDR) has entered its third phase." The programme "is intended for the members of the three main armed groups in Ituri, notably FNI, MRC and FRPI," further says the paper.

Policy

- Le Palmarès reports "a first inter-institutional meeting," between "President Kabila, the president of the senate, the speaker of the parliament, the Chief Justice and the Prime Minister," on Monday 23 July 2007.

The meeting discussed "the most topical issues" and helped to "harmonise their different views to avoid bitter clashes between the major institutions," explains Le Palmarès.