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Congo-Brazzaville |
PEACE
The forthcoming all-inclusive inter-Congolese Forum continues to be
the
main topic of conversation among politicians and the ordinary citizen
Congolese, both at home and abroad have been awaiting this meeting with destiny for a long time, and they won’t be disappointed as giant strides have been made. But it’s not been all plain sailing.
The Congolese government has «stepped on the gas» so that preparations for the Forum can be speeded up. People are pleased to note that precise dates and practical details have now been provided by the government. The Cabinet has decided that the Forum will take place in Congo itself, not abroad, and will be held in two stages. The first stage will take place in the regions so that ordinary citizens will be able to have their say regarding the preliminary draft of a Constitution, a peace agreement, and how to rebuild the nation. During the second stage, there’ll be a «National Convention» given over to searching for a national consensus.
The official opening ceremony will take place on 17 March 2001, under the aegis of the international mediator for Congo, Gabon’s President Omar Bongo, and of Congo-Brazza’s President Sassou Nguesso, and in the presence of international observers. The first stage in the regions and districts will be from 19-31 March. The second stage, 1-14 April, will take place in Brazzaville. The National Convention will discuss the preliminary draft of the Constitution and the signing of accords for peace and Congo’s reconstruction. From 16-19 April, the government will work on these texts so they can be presented before the transition Parliament for debate and eventual approval. A calendar will then be drawn up, fixing dates for the constitutional referendum and general elections.
In mid-February, a government delegation, led by the government spokesman, François Ibovi, and the Justice Minister, Jean-Martin Mbemba, went to Libreville, Gabon, to officially inform the Mediator, Omar Bongo, about the Congolese government’s programme.
Reactions
In spite of the fact that the Congolese Government clearly specified to the international mediator that these were only proposals, there was a great deal of dissatisfaction. Most of the Opposition say they are having nothing to do with the proposals because the government is trampling on Article 13 of the cease-fire agreement, signed in December 1999 between the Congolese armed forces and the rebels. This article stipulates: «The signatories to this agreement agree to recommend that Omar Bongo, President of Gabon, should, in his capacity as international Mediator, continue his efforts in favour of peace, while organizing as soon as possible, with the assistance of the international community, an all-inclusive inter-Congolese Forum, for lasting peace and a return of democracy in the Republic of Congo-Brazzaville».
The Congolese government and the National Resistance Council (CNR), should, in their capacity as signatories to the agreements, inform the Mediator about points they agree on, at the same time leaving him free to organize and run the Forum as he sees fit. But, it’s precisely on this point that opinions are divided.
Controversy
* The Government’s spokesman, François Ibovi, says that the government’s proposals were submitted to President Bongo for his approval, and all signatories to the peace agreement accepted him as Mediator. Ib-ovi maintains that in the light of the report prepared by the Follow-up Committee to the peace agreement, and taking into account the government’s proposals, the Mediator has accepted, in accordance with Article 13 of the Agreement, to continue his efforts in favour of peace in Congo. Ibovi indicates further: «If the signatories drift away from the Agreement, if they issue contrary statements, they are violating the cease-fire and Suspension of Hostilities Agreement. The government invites them to stand by the Agreement.» Regarding the modus operandi, Ibovi reminds people that first comes a political agreement, which eventually becomes binding on all citizens by Act of Parliament. «Cast your minds back to the Sovereign National Conference», he says. «What happened then? The Head of State published two decrees whereby the meeting was convened and the preparatory committee established».
* The Opposition has attacked the government’s initiative. Thus, Nguila Moungouga Nkombo, vice-president of an organisation for Congolese citizens living in exile, declares: «Mr. Sassou and his colleagues are completely going against Article 13. Mr Sassou is now carrying on as if he is the Mediator, the leading light and the overall organizer, all rolled into one. Where does the CNR, were does the democratic process, where does the Mediator fit into this? Mr. Sassou ignores Mr. Bongo and relegates him to the sidelines. He orders Mr Bongo about. They’re clever in what they’re doing».
The Rev. Ntoumi is the CNR‘s number one. He prefers that a preparatory committee, made up of his own colleagues and those opposition supporters living in exile, be part of this committee. The CNR also has a number of items it would like to see on the Forum’s agenda. regarding participants at the Forum, Rev. Ntoumi thinks that there should be no restrictions placed on who takes part, as the whole idea is to have an inter-Congolese Forum which represents all bodies of opinion. Former President Pascal Lissouba and his last Prime Minister, Bernard Kolélas, should be invited to the Forum in spite of having being excluded until now, from all dialogue. Mr. Ntoumi thus challenges the Mediator in the present crisis «to respond vigorously to a government which is engaging in what is called “dialogue” on its own terms».
* Then there’s the grouping of 16 opposition political parties (The so-called Collective of 16 Parties) who support dialogue. They’re also none too happy with the government’s machinations which they describe as «one-sided». «Look», they say. «We’ve got a government who organises the whole caboodle in such a way that it will get what it wants from the Forum, and blow the others taking part». The «16» are demanding that President Bongo have a free hand in organising the Forum in the way he wants. The «16» also reminds those concerned, that matters dealing with security, military incursions and all kinds of exactions, are still the order of the day in areas where fighting has taken place. Any meaningful dialogue will depend on the following conditions: The setting up of a preparatory organising committee with equal representation from all interested parties; the general amnesty law must be promulgated; foreign troops must leave the national territory.
* Other political groups have reacted in various ways. For example, the Rally for Democracy and Social Progress (RDPS) insists that the inter-Congolese Forum must be conducted in such a way that participants can reflect on and discuss key questions concerning the rebuilding of our nation. The RDPS suggests that a preliminary meeting between all political parties and groupings in Congo, should take place in Brazzaville, in order to ensure the smooth running of the Forum debates. A similar meeting between Congolese-in-exile should take place in Libreville, Gabon.
Civil society
Congolese are yearning for peace and reconciliation. A student puts it this way: «The Forum is not intended to decide on which political party or grouping should form the government, but is an occasion for Congolese to be reconciled with each other and decide together on what the future holds for them». Another student says: «What takes place during the Forum will point the way for re-launching the Republic in spite of our own weaknesses and human failings, in other words, in spite of ourselves. We don’t need judges or anyone of the same ilk to do the job for us. What we need is that our fellow citizens become aware that serious mistakes have been made, and these must be rectified. A way forward must be found».
The inter-Congolese Forum will be a privileged moment, when discussions will centre on how to rebuild the nation after years of internal strife. A business woman says: «Both the time of preparation and organisation of the Forum are extremely important, and have nothing in common with organizing a political party congress, where the central committee decides on everything, and the “footsoldiers” stand by and applaud». All shades of opinion have their place in such a Forum and must be respected. True dialogue is essential.
Preparations for the inter-Congolese Forum must be conducted in such a way that everyone has their say — that’s democracy! Personal interests and self-pride take second place — the Nation comes first. In the past, meaningless violence has destroyed our dignity — this must be restored. The Forum is a time for healing wounds and starting afresh.
Editors’ update: 17 March - Opening of the inter-Congolese Forum in Brazzaville. However, key opposition figures are not attending. 19 March - The first phase of the Forum (19-31 March), starts in the ten regions of Congo and six communes of Brazzaville, under the direction of government ministers. This phase is being attended by 2,200 delegates from public institutions, civil society associations, political parties close to the government, and some independent parties. Opposition figures are absent from these proceedings. The Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, Jean Delo, says the debate will also deal with the strengthening of national unity and the setting up of a republican public force. He says he hopes that the debate will be «open, constructive and peaceful.» The second phase of the talks will be held from 11-14 April in the form of a national convention in Brazzaville. 21 March - The Brazzaville-based weekly paper, Tam-Tam d’Afrique, says that the opposition leaders in exile will be able to participate in the April convention. 25 March – Towards the end of the first phase, a consensus seem to be emerging regarding a new Constitution. (ANB-BIA, Brussels, 26 March 2001)
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