CIAT's communiqué urging DRC political stakeholders to observe the electoral rules established by CEI is the lead story in today's local press.

CIAT (International Committee To Support Transition)'s communiqué issued yesterday "urges DRC political stakeholders to participate in the upcoming elections in keeping with the all-inclusive electoral process," reports Le Potentiel. The International Community To Support the Transition then recalled "the UN Security Council's recommendation that no one should be excluded nor exclude themselves from the electoral process for whatever reason," highlights L'Avenir.

CIAT's communiqué clearly stated, "DRC Transition's institutions will remain in place until the new ones are elected...the process must not culminate in a power vacuum," writes Le Phare. The message is mainly addressed to "the DRC Opposition that may be tempted to proclaim the end of the all-inclusive agreement on 30th June...," reports Le Phare.

So doing, CIAT has "opted for de facto prolongation of the transition... ", says Le Phare. The matter has been "decided," notes Le Potentiel. The independent Electoral Commission is "more preoccupied with organizing the elections without envisaging the possible scenarios for the end of the transition," reports Le Potentiel.

The Independent Electoral Commission may set the date for "the presidential and legislative elections on 25 June - 2 July," says L'Avenir. The electoral calendar may be "published around 04 April after the registration operations for the presidential and legislative elections have been completed," further says Le Phare, echoing Father Malu Malu, head of the Independent Electoral Commission in French acronym CEI.

To secure the upcoming elections, European Union contemplates "contributing 400 - 450 troops for Kinshasa and 800 on standby in countries surrounding the DRC," reports Le Phare. To tell the truth, "the reaction force to be based in Brazzaville and Libreville will mainly be tasked to evacuate Western residents in case chaos erupt,' reveals La Tempête des Tropiques, quoting "Lettre mensuelle," a French publication.