President Joseph Kabila's interview with Jeune Afrique is the dominant issue in today's local press.

"President Kabila strongly criticized MONUC for its ineffectiveness referring to the unfortunate turn of events in eastern DRC, recalling that the UN Mission has 80% of its force in that part of the country...thus questioning the raison d'être for the UN body in the DRC," reports Le Palmarès.

"MONUC's troops are indeed effective and is effectively fulfilling its mission with strong determination, commitment and competence," says Le Palmarès, echoing Kemal Saïki, MONUC spokesperson, highlighting, "over 35 peacekeepers lost their lives in DRC," notes Le Palmarès.

"Yet, the largest peacekeeping mission in the world is nothing compared to the size of the DRC territory and its enormous challenges," says L'Observateur.

"The defense, security and integrity of the DRC territory are first and foremost the responsibility of the DRC Government as a sovereign state," points out Le Palmarès, echoing MONUC spokesperson.

La Tempête des Tropiques insists on "reconciliation between President Kabila and Jean-Pierre Bemba, the former Vice-President and current Senator admitted by Portugal for medical care, alluding to President Kabila's statement against the Senator in his recent interview with Jeune Afrique."

Le Potentiel warns, "Unless averted, persistent misunderstanding between President Kabila and Senator Jean-Pierre Bemba will lead to a major political crisis with untold consequences that may undermine the ongoing political process."

"DRC will mark the 47th anniversary of its independence this Saturday; yet Congolese people's living conditions keep deteriorating," notes L'Avenir.

"How long will it take? wonders L'Avenir, estimating, "the question needs be answered by the current leaders but not the former."

"A sit-in held was held yesterday by Congolese journalists to protest their colleagues' murders claiming fair trials," reports Le Potentiel.