"A dozen UDPS members were even arrested and beaten on the grounds that the march was not authorized," says the paper.

In this vein, L'Avenir writes, "Having lost momentum, UDPS wanted to use the march as a means to test its popularity; unfortunately the march was a bitter failure."

L'Avenir refers to the march as "a mere distraction" and argues, "No sensible Congolese would, in light of the extremely difficult situation facing the country, dare organize protest marches now."

In other news, L'Observateur reports, "MONUC decision to step up its military presence in Matadi just because the first anniversary of the bloody events of 31st January and 1st February 2007 is getting nearer has given rise to serious controversies; Some people find it very strange in so far as MONUC has been conspicuously absent in the parts of the country that need securing, such as the eastern DRC or witnessing powerless the exactions committed," echoing a native of Matadi.