Congo-Kinshasa: Nkunda Objects to Monuc Taking Part in DRC Talks

General Laurent Nkunda has said he objects to the inclusion of the United Nations’ peacekeeping forces, MONUC in the negotiation talks to stop the war in DR Congo.The talks between the National Congress for the Defence of the people (CNDP) and the DR Congo government will be mediated by Olusegun Obasanjo, the UN General Secretary’s special envoy in Eastern Congo. Nkunda was Sunday evening speaking to journalists in Jomba Catholic mission, (part of the Eastern Congo territory under the control of the CNDP). This was after the first meeting between his CNDP and Obasanjo.The CNDP leader said that he does not trust MONUC to be objective if they participated in the talks because they are fighting alongside DR Congo forces.The talks began on the weekend with Obasanjo earlier meeting Joseph Kabila and his Angolan counterpart Dos Santos before flying to meet Nkunda in Jomba 60 km from Goma.

Congolese Prime Minister resigns

The Congolese Prime Minister, Antoine Gizenga has resigned his position on Thursday. His letter of resignation has been submitted to President Joseph Kabila and awaiting response. He made his disclosure on National Broadcasting Television of Congo.Gizega, 84, said: “We can now affirm that the country begins to take the proper course and experiencing a dynamic recovery and rebuilding. We must stand firm and move forward with determination. However, for every man, even if the spirit can still be healthy and alert, the physical body has its limits which should be taken into account.” “That is why, after almost half a century of struggle for national cause, and more than 600 days to exercise office of Prime Minister and Head of Government, I have decided today to submit my resignation this post to the President of the Republic, Head of State. I filed the relevant letter today, at 10am. We will answer the President when it pleases us to know,” he added.According to Article 78 of the constitution of DCR, the prime minister concludes his duties upon submission by him to the resignation of the government.In Article 147, when the National Assembly adopts a motion of censure, the government is deemed to have resigned. In this case, the Prime Minister presents the government’s resignation to the President within twenty four hours.In the opinion of constitutional experts, the Constitution does not provide for the resignation of Prime Minister alone. This means that Gizenga resigns automatically with his team. It is now left for the president to appoint a new prime minister within the majority.Gizenga resigns when the country was rocked by several problems, including the resumption of war in Kivu and the rise of social discontent.The president of the National Assembly, Vital Kamerhe, on Wednesday announced that his institution is expected to question the head of government on these issues and if the explanations given were not convincing, it could lead to the collapse of the government.For now Gizenga will continue to exercise until the president takes note of the resignation.Gizenga, who heads the Unified Lumumbist Party or PALU, came in third in presidential elections two years ago. He subsequently entered into a coalition with Joseph Kabila who won the run-off vote.Analysts believe his appointment as Prime Minister was aimed at appeasing the restive northeastern Congo, which long resented the central government in Kinshasa, and where several small rebellions continued to fester.