UN
United Nations Peacekeeping
9 Mar
2009
Press Review 4 May 2005
DRC's draft constitution and the visit by the President of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, FDLR to Kinshasa are the dominant subjects in today's local press.
The headlines in La Référence Plus read: 'Parliament to resume proceedings on the draft constitution today.' The paper says the text under review ' provides guarantees for balance of power between institutions, notably the Head of State and the Prime Minister.' La Référence plus echoes its interview with a counsellor to the National Assembly's office who declares, 'divergences between the different parliamentary groups are minor.' The paper goes on to say, ' a consensus had already been reached by the heads of components' on ' the age of the candidate for president's office, say, 30' and in respect of the proceedings about the unitarist or federalist options, La Référence Plus writes, ' supporters of a strongly-decentralised unitarist and federalist state have their major requirements met since the provinces are vested with substantial powers.' The paper further says, ' Unless the MPs make a deliberate show, the text will be swiftly adopted.'
L'Observateur, in turn, echoes a member of CIAT's remarks that the adoption of the draft constitution should not pose any problem.
Le Potentiel however predicts ' fierce proceedings' in the National Assembly by ' nearly 100 speakers.' Le Potentiel says, 'MPs are divided and it is too early to conclude that proceedings will be completed within 48 hours.' The paper lists three of the clashing points: ' the indefinitely renewable presidential mandate,' ' minorities' votes' and ' the strong leadership issue.'
L'Avenir, which focuses on ' the future constitution' writes, 'beyond the bias instilled in the Congolese mind,' the text under review is a ' Congolese constitution not a Rwandan.' The paper criticizes Kigali's attitude when using a peripheral radio to 'exert pressures' and calls on the Congolese people ' to stand up against it.'
Referring to the relations between Kinshasa and Kigali, Le Palmarès relays the press communiqué issued by the second meeting held by the Joint Verification Mechanism of both countries and wonders whether a 'slight improvement is not forthcoming.' With reference to the same communiqué, L'Observateur says the meeting discussed the 'repatriation and reintegration of the FDLR whose leader Ignace Murwanashyaka is currently in Kinshasa to pave the road for the return of the FDLR to Rwanda'. The FLDR chief declared Rome process was delayed because ' the International Committee to follow up the process has not been put in place yet'. L'Observateur recalls Kigali's recent statement that 'it was ready to welcome its rival brothers' after threatening that they should ' answer for ' the genocide.
L'Observateur, in turn, echoes a member of CIAT's remarks that the adoption of the draft constitution should not pose any problem.
Le Potentiel however predicts ' fierce proceedings' in the National Assembly by ' nearly 100 speakers.' Le Potentiel says, 'MPs are divided and it is too early to conclude that proceedings will be completed within 48 hours.' The paper lists three of the clashing points: ' the indefinitely renewable presidential mandate,' ' minorities' votes' and ' the strong leadership issue.'
L'Avenir, which focuses on ' the future constitution' writes, 'beyond the bias instilled in the Congolese mind,' the text under review is a ' Congolese constitution not a Rwandan.' The paper criticizes Kigali's attitude when using a peripheral radio to 'exert pressures' and calls on the Congolese people ' to stand up against it.'
Referring to the relations between Kinshasa and Kigali, Le Palmarès relays the press communiqué issued by the second meeting held by the Joint Verification Mechanism of both countries and wonders whether a 'slight improvement is not forthcoming.' With reference to the same communiqué, L'Observateur says the meeting discussed the 'repatriation and reintegration of the FDLR whose leader Ignace Murwanashyaka is currently in Kinshasa to pave the road for the return of the FDLR to Rwanda'. The FLDR chief declared Rome process was delayed because ' the International Committee to follow up the process has not been put in place yet'. L'Observateur recalls Kigali's recent statement that 'it was ready to welcome its rival brothers' after threatening that they should ' answer for ' the genocide.
