| Union for Democracy and
Social Progress (UDPS) |
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| Bongua Justin Mayunga |
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REPRESENTATION IN THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA
PRESS RELEASE
SOUTH AFRICA MINI-SUMMIT ON THE CONFLICT IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Sunday, August 23, 1998
The Representation of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress in the United States of
America (UDPS) supports regional efforts to bring about an immediate cease-fire, to
resolve the conflict peacefully, and to set up a framework for a lasting peace in Congo
according to the resolutions of the National Sovereign Conference.
Considering the blood shed both under Mobutu's and under Kabila's regime by many Congolese
and by many of our UDPS comrades who have given up their lives as a supreme sacrifice for
the revival of our country and for the implementation of the resolutions of the National
Sovereign Conference, the Representation of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress
(UDPS) sincerely appreciates the initiative taken by President Mandela of South Africa to
convene a mini-summit in South Africa on the Conflict in the Democratic Republic of the
Congo. It also salutes the willingness of the main players in this conflict to positively
respond to this wise initiative.
The Representation of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress in the United States of
America (UDPS) reiterates its call on the Congolese government and rebel leadership to
take all possible actions to immediately stop warefare.
The UN report on the killing of scores of Rwandan Hutu refugees, including women and
children, during the bush war that lead to the ouster of Dictator Mobutu Sese Seko and the
self-appointment of Kabila as new president of Congo is still fresh in our memory for us
to tolerate or encourage any initiative aimed at resorting to violence
and warfare to gain or maintain political power.
Mr. Kabila came from the bush and fought a war with a basket full of promises to restore
democracy, human rights and conduct free and fair elections. He was to set up a valid
constituent assembly and institute far reaching and radical constitutional, electoral,
political and public policy reforms in which all stakeholders (Congolese) were to
participate.
The Representation of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) finds that Mr.
Kabila has failed to present a valid and acceptable transitional program and has
disappointed a very large spectrum of the Congolese people including many of his former
allies.
The Representation of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) has also been
disappointed to see other Congolese nationals relying on foreign military assistance in
their attempt to ouster the new dictator.
It has been equally disappointed to see Mr. Kabila seeking and securing military
assistance from other African countries to maintain what is widely known as an
undemocratic government. In addition to countless sacrifices being imposed on the
Congolese people, any such reliance on foreign military assistance by Mr. Kabila and by
the new rebels is very likely to jeopardize and delay the establishment of democratically
elected institutions in our country. Current foreign involvement in the civil war has only
the potential to exacerbate the conflict.
The Representation of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) is concerned
that, if this involvement is not properly managed, the crisis will spin out of control and
produce a long-term cycle of political fragmentation, widespread bloodshed and further
regional destabilization.
The Representation of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) further expresses
its dissatisfaction with the international community which has largely failed its moral
duty when it accepted the idea of overlooking the resolutions of the National Sovereign
Conference, when it recognized Kabila as President of Congo despite him using military
means of seizing power, and when it largely kept silent as, during the last 15
months, the Kabila government committed numerous human right abuses against the same
Congolese people they supposedly had come to rescue from Mobutu dictatorship. The
Representation of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) is saddened to see
even those African governments that came to power through a democratic process supporting
an undemocratic regime. It is a travesty of justice to see a democratic country is
supporting an undemocratic regime.
In consideration of all the aforementioned factors, the Representation of the Union for
Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) wants to salute President Mandela's initiative to
convene a mini-summit in Pretoria on the war situation in the Democratic Republic of
Congo.
The Representation urges those meeting in Pretoria to show a high degree of patriotism in
dealing with this issue. We particularly urge them to keep in mind that, to be a valid and
positive contribution to solving the current political crisis in Congo, any agreement
coming out of this mini-summit should refer to and take into consideration the major
provisions of the political framework that was developed by the National Sovereign
Conference (NSC). Under that framework, a two-year broadly based transitional government
has to be formed and has to be entrusted with the responsibilities of organizing free and
fair elections. A broadly based valid constituent assembly has to be created to write the
constitution and to serve as a counter-balance to the executive power of the transitional
government. The Congolese people expect far reaching and radical constitutional,
electoral, political and public policy reforms in which all stakeholders (Congolese) will
participate. As the major political party in Congo, the Union for Democracy and Social
Progress (UDPS) should be validly involved in every aspect of governance of our country.
Any thing less than these widely accepted provisions of the National Sovereign Conference
will not create a lasting peace which we long for to ensure a real reconstruction of our
country. Any outcome that are less than these widely accepted provisions of the National
Sovereign Conference shall not be accepted and shall not get implemented.
The Representation of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) urges those
meeting in Pretoria to not disappoint the Congolese people with band aid solutions which
will not meaningfully solve the fundamental issues are facing our nation at this
particular juncture of its history.
The Representation of UDPS supports regional efforts to bring about an immediate
cease-fire, to resolve the conflict peacefully, and to set up a framework for a lasting
peace in Congo according to the resolutions of the National Sovereign Conference for which
the blood of our people and of our many comrades has been shed as a supreme sacrifice for
the revival of our country.
Released in Charlotte (North Carolina), USA on August 23, 1998
The Federal President of North-East UDPS in the United States of America
Bongua Justin Mayunga
928-H N. Wendover Rd.
Charlotte, NC 28211
USA
Phone & Fax 704/366-6899
bjmayunga@yahoo.com |
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