US embassy cable - 05KINSHASA582

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