About the venue of the meeting, La Référence Plus says, the political platform "Union pour la Nation" led by Jean-Pierre Bemba wanted the debate to take place at Palais du Peuple rather than the National Broadcasting Corporation known as Radio Télévision Nationale congolaise, RTNC.

"Sorry for the Congolese young democracy," says Le Phare (Opposition), indicating, "It has started off on the wrong foot because of the very people who self-proclaim heralds and heroes."

"The cancellation of the debate between the presidential candidates has given rise to debates and concerns in respect of the rest of the electoral process; this is no more time to seek to know who is right and who is wrong... or who has shirked the debate and who has not," says Le Potentiel (neutral), indicating, "it is the Congolese people's responsibility to make a responsible choice."

"The debate was not going to influence the choice for a candidate," argues L'Observateur, highlighting, "Congolese people have already decided and know who they are going vote," echoing an MP. "There are still undecided people whose attitude could be changed by the debate, further says the paper.

MONUC expects Joseph Kabila and Jean-Pierre Bemba "to officially address appeals for calm to their supporters," says La Tempête des Tropiques, echoing MONUC's weekly news conference of Wednesday 25 October 2006.

"The message will enable the Congolese people to discharge their civic duty in all serenity and responsibility," says Le Potentiel. "The fate of the Democratic Republic of Congo is being decided at this moment," indicates the paper.