Press Review of 26 April 2006

DRC electoral process is the major issue in today's local press.

Though the final list of presidential candidates has been published, awaiting the legislative, the electoral calendar has not been published yet. "The Independent Electoral Commission CEI said it will take some time to publish the definite calendar," reports Le Potentiel. CEI will first make sure that "all modifications have been made before publishing the calendar," says the paper, indicating, "according to rumours circulating in the CEI's corridors, the definite electoral calendar may be published by the end of this week, barring unforeseen circumstances."

"South Africa will contribute fund for purchase of papers for the poll ballots," says Le Phare whilst the printing of the ballots "will be funded by UNDP APEC; Printing offices will be locally selected," further says the paper, echoing UNDP Country-Director, Babacar Cissé. The electoral kits (ballot boxes, polling booths...) are due to "arrive on 26 and 27 April," adds La Référence Plus.

DRC electoral process is indeed under way. For the purposes of its securitization, "Germany and France have decided to contribute approximately 400 - 500 troops within the framework of the European force tasked to reinforce MONUC operations," indicates L'Observateur. "German parliament is bracing to discuss its participation to the European Union's Force," highlights Le Phare, echoing the German Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs during his visit to Kinshasa.

With respect to the European force, it is obvious that "the bulk of the troops will be based either in Europe or a French military base in an African country and deployed to DRC during the elections," adds L'Observateur.

2006