Kabila’s Transition Plans Stalled By Entrenched Political Leaders Fails To Unveil New Government Once Again

Fresh from their triumphant takeover of this benighted nation, Laurent Kabila failed for the second day Wednesday to form a new government as he and his aides sparred with the capital’s bitterly divided but deeply entrenched political leadership.

Kabila, who flew unannounced into Kinshasa after dark Tuesday, did not emerge or issue any statements Wednesday from his new headquarters at the plush riverside residence of ousted dictator Mobutu Sese Seko’s largely powerless prime ministers.

Although Kabila had said by Tuesday he would unveil his government and his plans for a transition to democracy, members of his inner circle pleaded for time as they pushed past hordes of local politicians, businessmen and others forced to stand behind ropes outside the Inter-Continental Hotel, where Kabila’s top advisers have set up offices.

“We are starting the second phase of our revolution, the reconstruction phase, so you can understand that (it) cannot go as quickly as the military phase,” said Bizima Karaha, Kabila’s foreign minister.

“We must find the most competent people,” agreed Babi Mbayi, the planning minister. “It’s a slow process.”

Babi said anyone who opposed Mobutu’s rule will be welcome to join the new government, but only as individuals and not as representatives of political parties. He declined to elaborate.

But his statement suggests that Kabila will follow the controversial model of his mentor, former guerrilla leader Yoweri Museveni, who shot his way into power in Uganda in 1986. Museveni was formally elected president last year, but he banned political parties from participating on grounds that they exploit ethnic and religious divisions and hinder reconciliation.

Diplomats here were largely sympathetic to Kabila’s slow search for a new government. “There’s 400 political parties here. and they all want to meet the big guy,” said a Western envoy. “After the first 20 or so, I’m sure it’s a big blur.”

By most accounts, the chief obstacle to announcing the new administration is the yet-unsuccessful attempt to forge an alliance with Etienne Tshisekedi, a political opposition leader and former prime minister who retains a zealous following in Kinshasa.

A car full of armed guerrillas escorted Tshisekedi from his home to Kabila’s headquarters Wednesday afternoon, a day after the prickly politician insisted that Kabila’s aides must come to him. Results of the presumed meeting between the two rivals were not disclosed.

Tshisekedi was elected head of government at a constitutional convention in 1992 that was mostly ignored by Mobutu. His fervent supporters insist he retains his authority and is thus entitled to name the Cabinet now, not Kabila. Tshisekedi, in his usual style, has said nothing in public in weeks.

Kabila has publicly derided Tshisekedi in the past, describing him as a sellout for agreeing to serve as prime minister three times while Mobutu was still in power.

The dictator dumped him each time, most recently in April after he abruptly dismissed Mobutu’s cronies from the Cabinet and offered six key portfolios to Kabila’s Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo-Zaire, which was then still at war with Mobutu.

Tshisekedi’s supporters applaud that independent streak, his years of nonviolent opposition to Mobutu and his reputed honesty in a culture where most Zaire politicians were bought off or co-opted.

Mpaya Placide Mukendi, another party leader, complained that Kabila has already misread the city’s mood by staying behind closed doors. “It is time for him to speak up,” he said. “Kabila says he knows what our people want, and what they think. But we don’t know what’s on his mind.”

With Kinshasa still under military rule by a guerrilla army and Kabila still feted as a conquering hero, serious opposition appeared unlikely. Diplomats hope Kabila’s government will include enough other parties to be credible even if Tshisekedi is not brought aboard.