UN
United Nations Peacekeeping
10 Mar
2009
Press Review 27 June 2005
Today's local papers broadly comment on President Sassou Nguesso's talks with DRC political leadership, the identification and registration operation and the Mbuji Mayi events.
'We appealed for a peaceful transitional process,' headlines L'Observateur, quoting president Denis Sassou N'Guesso. The pro-PPRD (President Kabila's party) paper recalls that the Congolese president was mandated as the acting chairman of the regional organisation, CEEAC, to monitor 'the DRC transition,' and reports, for the latter the most important is 'to see a safe transitional process.' L'Observateur notes, 'President Sassou said 30 June must not be regarded as an apocalyptic day,' and, referring to Sassou's Mission, it underscores in its editorial, 'Mission accomplished; a Well Accomplished Mission.'
Le Palmarès, for its part pretends 'holding the secrets of President Sassou Nguesso's mediation in Kinshasa.' Alluding to 'the talks between Sassou and Tshisekedi,' the pro-UDPS paper reports, 'President Sassou requested UDPS leader to demobilise those who are preparing to shed the Congolese people's blood after 30 June.' Etienne Tshisekedi replied, according to Le Palmarès, 'It is up to the people to freely decide whether to organise a march or not. As far as I am concerned, I have never issued an order for bloodshed on 30 June'However, I pledge to convey the message as you wish.'
In other news, L'Avenir, a pro-PPRD paper reports, '76,322 registered in six days,' in Kinshasa, alluding to the identification and registration operation. The paper notes, 'The population of Kinshasa disregarded the boycott order,' highlighting 'each passing day the number of voters keep increasing in the few districts selected as test-cases.' L'Avenir predicts, ''What would be the outcome when electoral operations would be conducted in all the districts; there will be huge crowds turning out,' argues, 'it is not the people who are planning to use force.'
La Référence Plus, a neutral paper, reports 76,322 registered in Kinshasa, and indicates, 'CEI declared itself satisfied with the highest interest demonstrated by the Congolese people in the electoral process,' and 'determination for a change to a rule of law.' The paper further recalls, 'CEI estimates at 3 to 3.5 millions, the number of voters in Kinshasa,' and announces the next provinces where electoral operations will take place, 'Eastern province and Bas Congo.'
Under the headline '30 June: Mbuji Mayi set the tone,' La Tempête des Tropiques, a pro-UDPS paper reports, 'Police killed four people and injured several others in an anti-Kabila demonstration.' The paper adds, 'everything started with a peace rally in relation to the 30th June 2005,' and reports, 'Taxi and mini-bus drivers blowing toots to celebrate Kabila's departure'The police used tear gas'and finally opened fire on the crowd'.' Meanwhile, Le Palmarès reports that last Saturday events in Mbuji Mayi were triggered off by 'an unfounded rumour indicating that Etienne Tshisekedi was nominated Prime Minister and South African contingent in DRC deployed to disarm Rwandan rebels in DRC.'
Referring to new rumours of war in Eastern DRC, L'Avenir reveals, 'Rwanda is preparing to launch a third war.' Quoting 'anonymous sources,' the paper confirms, 'Hostilities will break out on 26 - 30 June.' L'Avenir believes that 'the presence of commandos in Goma heading for Kamina gives an ideal reason to the agitators to relaunch the third war, the issue of which, no one is assured of.'
Le Palmarès, for its part pretends 'holding the secrets of President Sassou Nguesso's mediation in Kinshasa.' Alluding to 'the talks between Sassou and Tshisekedi,' the pro-UDPS paper reports, 'President Sassou requested UDPS leader to demobilise those who are preparing to shed the Congolese people's blood after 30 June.' Etienne Tshisekedi replied, according to Le Palmarès, 'It is up to the people to freely decide whether to organise a march or not. As far as I am concerned, I have never issued an order for bloodshed on 30 June'However, I pledge to convey the message as you wish.'
In other news, L'Avenir, a pro-PPRD paper reports, '76,322 registered in six days,' in Kinshasa, alluding to the identification and registration operation. The paper notes, 'The population of Kinshasa disregarded the boycott order,' highlighting 'each passing day the number of voters keep increasing in the few districts selected as test-cases.' L'Avenir predicts, ''What would be the outcome when electoral operations would be conducted in all the districts; there will be huge crowds turning out,' argues, 'it is not the people who are planning to use force.'
La Référence Plus, a neutral paper, reports 76,322 registered in Kinshasa, and indicates, 'CEI declared itself satisfied with the highest interest demonstrated by the Congolese people in the electoral process,' and 'determination for a change to a rule of law.' The paper further recalls, 'CEI estimates at 3 to 3.5 millions, the number of voters in Kinshasa,' and announces the next provinces where electoral operations will take place, 'Eastern province and Bas Congo.'
Under the headline '30 June: Mbuji Mayi set the tone,' La Tempête des Tropiques, a pro-UDPS paper reports, 'Police killed four people and injured several others in an anti-Kabila demonstration.' The paper adds, 'everything started with a peace rally in relation to the 30th June 2005,' and reports, 'Taxi and mini-bus drivers blowing toots to celebrate Kabila's departure'The police used tear gas'and finally opened fire on the crowd'.' Meanwhile, Le Palmarès reports that last Saturday events in Mbuji Mayi were triggered off by 'an unfounded rumour indicating that Etienne Tshisekedi was nominated Prime Minister and South African contingent in DRC deployed to disarm Rwandan rebels in DRC.'
Referring to new rumours of war in Eastern DRC, L'Avenir reveals, 'Rwanda is preparing to launch a third war.' Quoting 'anonymous sources,' the paper confirms, 'Hostilities will break out on 26 - 30 June.' L'Avenir believes that 'the presence of commandos in Goma heading for Kamina gives an ideal reason to the agitators to relaunch the third war, the issue of which, no one is assured of.'
