UN
United Nations Peacekeeping
10 Mar
2009
Press Review of 30th August 2005
Today's local press mainly focus on yesterday's news conference held by Louis Michel, the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Affairs. The press also widely comments on the meeting between Louis Michel and Etienne Tshisekedi (one of the key opposition leaders).
Louis Michel declared himself 'satisfied with the smooth evolution of the voter identification and electoral process,' and 'highly impressed by the work so far achieved by the Independent Electoral Commission CEI as well as the population's positive response,' L'Avenir writes on its front page. 'Louis Michel (is) convinced that the ongoing electoral process is irreversible,' the pro-PPRD paper highlights, indicating, 'A large number of Congolese politicians are favourable to the voter identification and registration operations,' notes L'Observateur, a pro PPRD paper. The paper further echoes Louis Michel's statement that 'DRC [development] will not get started without elections.' La Référence Plus (an independent paper), conveys Louis Michel's 'regrets' over 'Tshisekedi's attitude towards the electoral process.' Le Palmarès quotes the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Affairs as declaring, 'UDPS leader does not consider himself bound to the ongoing electoral process since his preconditions have not been taken into consideration,' and 'Tshisekedi has called for another Congolese Talks and the formation of a new Government (')' The pro-opposition paper highlights, that if these preconditions are not met, '[UDPS] will call for a boycott of the referendum on the Constitution draft.' That is no problem, 'the electoral process shall proceed with or without him,' says the paper, echoing Louis Michel. 'We are not forcing people to participate in the elections,' La Référence Plus writes, quoting the European Commissioner. 'There is no doubt about it that Louis Michel has failed to persuade Tshisekedi (') since both men have diametrically opposed views,' says Le Potentiel whilst Le Phare (pro-opposition paper) concludes, 'Both personalities agreed to maintain contact.'
'The poor statistics of people registered thus far is a clear indication that the electoral process has reached a deadlock,' assesses Le Phare, indicating, 'in the district of Maniema whose population is estimated at 4 million, only 16,400 people got registered, say 0.5 per cent.' For Le Phare, 'the process is at a standstill and the current scheme needs to be replaced with another one.'
Vice-President Azarias Ruberwa's visit to Uvira, South Kivu continues to fuel the public debate. 'Vital Kamerhe and PPRD [put] in the dock' by the Vice-President who estimates that 'PPRD Secretary General disseminated in Uvira an intoxication and hatred speech against RCD and other political parties,' says Le Phare. 'Spreading hatred and interethnic divisions at this juncture is the antithesis of democracy. People should not follow such mean speeches,' reports La Référence Plus, echoing Azarias Ruberwa: 'It is to be feared that politicians cross the rubicund and indulge in spreading speeches apparently stirring people into action but inciting to violence,' alerts the paper in its editorial headlined, 'here comes again the political intolerance.'
In Eastern DRC, Laurent Nkunda, a deserter FARDC General is back in the news. 'Nkundabatware [is] at the head of three battalions,' announces L'Avenir. Quoting 'reliable Goma-based sources,' the paper reports, 'The man crossed into Rwanda along with his troops ('). They occupied Monkoto, Kanondo in Lubero, Kilumba in the Masisi and Tango Witu in the Rutshuru territory.'
'The poor statistics of people registered thus far is a clear indication that the electoral process has reached a deadlock,' assesses Le Phare, indicating, 'in the district of Maniema whose population is estimated at 4 million, only 16,400 people got registered, say 0.5 per cent.' For Le Phare, 'the process is at a standstill and the current scheme needs to be replaced with another one.'
Vice-President Azarias Ruberwa's visit to Uvira, South Kivu continues to fuel the public debate. 'Vital Kamerhe and PPRD [put] in the dock' by the Vice-President who estimates that 'PPRD Secretary General disseminated in Uvira an intoxication and hatred speech against RCD and other political parties,' says Le Phare. 'Spreading hatred and interethnic divisions at this juncture is the antithesis of democracy. People should not follow such mean speeches,' reports La Référence Plus, echoing Azarias Ruberwa: 'It is to be feared that politicians cross the rubicund and indulge in spreading speeches apparently stirring people into action but inciting to violence,' alerts the paper in its editorial headlined, 'here comes again the political intolerance.'
In Eastern DRC, Laurent Nkunda, a deserter FARDC General is back in the news. 'Nkundabatware [is] at the head of three battalions,' announces L'Avenir. Quoting 'reliable Goma-based sources,' the paper reports, 'The man crossed into Rwanda along with his troops ('). They occupied Monkoto, Kanondo in Lubero, Kilumba in the Masisi and Tango Witu in the Rutshuru territory.'
