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