08 Jun 2006: ISS Today: DRC: Will There be Any Political Talks by 30 June 2006?

8 June 2006: DRC: Will There be Any Political Talks by 30 June 2006?
MONUC PRESS REVIEW

 

Le Phare, in its report that "the International Community has opted for the holding of political talks by all DRC major stakeholders" infers that "political talks are now a must," and expresses hope that during its upcoming visit to DRC, the UN Security Council will issue "a message to appease DRC political atmosphere."

Likewise, La Référence Plus, echoing Remy Massamba, UDPS Secretary-General`s address to a press conference held in Brussels last Saturday, warns that "the situation is explosive and can explode any time should political talks be ruled out”.

Belgium, on the other hand, has said that, "political talks will be held after the elections".

 

Commentary

 

Opposition parties are currently calling for negotiations prior to 30 June 2006, the date that marks the end of the transition as agreed in the Sun City Accords. Etienne Tshisekedi (UPDS) is joined by a number of strong politicians that includes Vice President Ruberwa (RCD), Vice President Bemba (MLC), Olengankov (FONUS), Roger Lumbala (RCD/N), and Mbusa Nyamwisi (RCD-ML) all of whom are demanding talks with the Transitional Government. Several protest marches took place during the past week in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that reflected the two opposing views - whether there should be talks before the end of the transition, or whether the country should go ahead and conduct the elections first. Marches have been held in Lubambashi and Kinshasa by Kabili’s supporters in favour of holding elections first. A planned march by UPDS for 30 May in Kinshasa was, however, banned by the police, and prominent leaders – some of whom are presidential candidates who support the march - were placed under house arrest for the day.

 

The proposals do not call for the changing of the election calendar as agreed by the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI). What Mr Bemba and others have called for is the need to find solutions now to existing political problems. These problems include the issue of inclusivity, of Tshisekedi and the UPDS, funding for political parties, intimidation and media freedom. The statement by Mr Ibrahim Fall, Special Representative for the Great Lakes Initiative, on the preconditions for success of the electoral process in the DRC, is very apposite. He identified the following three preconditions: all political parties must accept the outcome of the election, the process must be transparent and the losers must not be sidelined after the elections. These talks could be used to address burning issues and also to get support from the political parties to accept the preconditions identified by Mr Fall to ensure a successful election.

 

Henri Boshoff

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