ELECTIONS CHIEF FIRES BACK AT TSHISEKEDI

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 000582 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/07/2015 TAGS: PGOV PINS KDEM CG SUBJECT: ELECTIONS CHIEF FIRES BACK AT TSHISEKEDI REF: KINSHASA 567 Classified By: Poloff Edward Bestic for Reasons 1.4 B and D ¶1. (U) Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) President Abbe Malu-Malu, speaking at an elections seminar in Kinshasa, declared to reporters April 7 that "those who say the transition ends on June 30, 2005 are wrong--the real end date is June 30, 2006." (Note: This is a reference to Article 196 of the transitional constitution, which allows for two six-month extensions if the CEI, National Assembly and Senate deem it necessary. End Note.) Malu-Malu said one problem in the Congo is that people often do not respect agreements they have signed, and added that he had never heard of political parties unilaterally declaring parts of a constitution "null and void." ¶2. (C) COMMENT: Malu-Malu's statements are a direct reproach to political opposition figure Etienne Tshisekedi, whose party signed the All-Inclusive Agreement and ratified the transitional constitution in 2003, but who nonetheless declared in an April 2 speech (reftel) that Article 196 of the constitution is "null and void." Tshisekedi is currently attempting to force his way into power by raising the spectre of widespread chaos and civil unrest on June 30. END COMMENT. MEECE