Press conference, public meetings, interviews. The famous Congolese opponent Etienne Tshisekedi, 77 years, chose this late summer 2010 to break his silence and make his big comeback on the political scene.
Weakened by a disease that eats away at the last two years ("I almost died," he admits), the president of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), however, has not lost its verve and of alertness.
Presidential candidate in 2011, after having boycotted the 2006, that its opponents call "eternal loser" criticizes the management of Congolese President Joseph Kabila: "There is no state in Congo, there is every simply a group of individuals who are agitated about public finances and unlawfully enrich themselves. "
It also pays its accounts with Belgium: "We expect the government to restore to the Belgian Congo all his property and we compensate for the harm done to our country."
In his modest apartment in the leafy suburbs and Birdsong in Brussels, where he completed his long convalescence, the Sphinx Limet received our reporter spoke about his last fight.
Our AFRIK: Last March, you said: "I feel strong enough to return." It is September, and you're still not returned to Kinshasa. What's going on?
Etienne Tshisekedi: When I spoke in March, there was no question of returning immediately. At that time, I had to see my doctors to take stock. Today, I still follow some pampering. It is almost at the end.
What do you suffer?
I can only say that it was very serious, I even came close to death. Thank God my health has improved and I can resume the political struggle.
At the height of your illness, you have been afraid to die?No, not at all! I've never been afraid to die, even though I almost died. I had no reason to be afraid of death, since it is inevitable that will happen one day or another.
Rumor has given you to death several times during the year. How did you feel about that?For a man who has marked the political life of his country, this type of speculation is hardly surprising. It is normal for people to speculate on the fate of statesmen. That said, I have not given much importance to these rumors.
How do you spend your time during your recovery here in Belgium?
Unfortunately, I stand very little of my time. I watch television, go visit friends and take walks in the parks.
When you eventually will return to the Congo?
The congress of my party, UDPS will be held from December 10 to 14 next. So I plan to return to Kinshasa a few days before.
How is the UDPS in the absence of its leader?UDPS is wearing badly. In my absence, there were many divisions related to personal quarrels. However, since I announced my return to Kinshasa, I saw with delight that the militants are united and ready for the battle for the organization of congresses and future elections.
Your party does it still really on the Congolese political scene?Ah yes, of course! UDPS relies heavily in the DRC. This is the only political force that represents the hope and future. It is a mass party, strongly rooted in the history of our country. All other parties are artificial political formations, without vision, and which will disappear one day or another.
Your detractors accuse you of having caporalisé and confiscated the party ...They can say what they want, but what does that mean, confiscate part? During my illness, the party was divided, how would I be able to confiscate it? Today, if I take the political struggle is at the insistence of the majority of my party activists.
UDPS she will in the next elections in 2011?Yes
Are you a candidate for the presidential election of 2011?Yes, I can confirm I am a candidate.
At your age, you feel you still able to beat you?Of course, if I do not present myself. I just want to be a candidate to continue the ideal for which I have always fought, making Congo a rule of law. My application also seeks to show that I was fighting not for personal gain. I would like to leave to posterity, a strong country and worthy of his rank.
All conditions are they ripe for the holding of free and transparent?Not at all.
And why are you going to boycott the election after the 2006?To change the order of things. We just call the international community - the same one that produced what is happening in Kinshasa in promoting all departures from the Constitution - to pressure the Kabila regime, for a census of the population scientifically credible . Today, for example, we do not know who is Congolese or do not. And the war has not helped matters with the intrusion of many foreign forces. So, from my point of view, the issue of the electorate is central. Is a prerequisite.
The debate on the composition of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stirred the political class.What is your position on this issue?We reaffirm that delegates from the opposition must be able to deliberate within the National Electoral Commission, hoping that everyone will recognize that the only real opposition is represented by my party, the UDPS.
What do you think of the lack of civil society in the new Ceni?
It is an anomaly. We believe that civil society has its place within the Ceni.
How is the Democratic Republic of Congo today?
is a disaster. There is no state in the Congo. There are simply a group of individuals who get very excited about the public finances, richer illicitly transfer money into their accounts abroad with impunity. They are incapable of solving social problems that arise and vital to the Congolese.
How can you say there is no state, while there was a head of state, Joseph Kabila, who is?It is a phenomenon typical Congolese. We have among us a head of state without a state. Joseph Kabila was staged by Western activists who wanted to keep hold of the enormous wealth of our country. For these Western having this young man in power was the assurance of having a non-state, to exploit for their own gain.
Joseph Kabila was nevertheless elected by the Congolese ...This is a travesty. We know these Western activists - even if we refuse to name them - who have placed at the head of the country. These same individuals are activated to maintain the power to sell off our wealth.
Do you feel that the Democratic Republic of Congo is much calmer today than yesterday?Oh no, not at all! It's like a military dictatorship. There is a tremendous sense of fear with gross and consistent violations of human rights. We fought it during the reign of Mobutu, and now this climate of terror is maintained by those in control, because they know it's the only way to hold onto power when it is imposed without the will of the people. Without exaggeration, it is the terror that reigns in the Congo and that gives the impression of a state.
The assassins of Floribert Chebeya, president of the NGO Human Rights "the voice of the voiceless" have still not been found ...That's why we continue to demand the establishment of an international commission of inquiry to bring sponsors and performers in court.
The government instead for a national commission of inquiry ...How can he claim that, while the authorities could be involved in this case? How do you want him to do an objective investigation?
The United Nations Mission did still have a place in the DRC?Yes, of course, for all the reasons I have cited. However, we had hoped that the UN is helping the Congolese to establish a genuine rule of law out of the Sun City agreement, it did not. Today, we are almost forced to accept his presence, even if only to ensure the safety of Congolese.
How can we definitively pacify eastern DRC?We can not pacify the east of the country without pacifying the Congo itself. It takes a genuine rule of law, respects the agreements of Sun City. We must build a genuine national army, a census and make good elections. If they had respected that we all signed in Sun City, the Congo would not be here today.
What do you think of the idea raised by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, a sharing of the wealth of the DRC with its neighbors?I told Mr Sarkozy that in this globalized world is a noble idea to share, but before sharing would require that these resources are primarily of benefit to the Congolese. The French president should not forget that all African countries are not on the same footing in terms of management of public affairs and good governance. We can not begin to share ourselves without having an inventory objective of our wealth.
What is your view on the fiftieth anniversary of the independence of your country?Looking very negative. When independence was proclaimed, we aspired to live in a state of law. We dreamed of a Congo where democracy takes root. Yet today, 50 years later, we live in a non-State. A true statement of failure. I am very bitter.
What do you think the politicians who have positively marked the history of the Congo since independence?Joseph Kasa Vubu, Patrice Lumumba, Joseph Ileo, Justin Marie Bomboko ... Each in its own way, has marked the country's history.
You Do not cite or Mobutu or KabilaWhy should I mention? They are criminals. We saw how they were determined to destroy the country and leave the Congo in ashes.
Mobutu and Kabila have they the same degree of responsibility in the chaotic state of Congo that you describe?Yes, unfortunately I can not separate from each other, apart from the fact that Mobutu has begun the work of destruction before Kabila. And if Kabila had reigned before Mobutu, they would not have done better.
Joseph Kabila, the current president, stands there in his father?This one will leave no trace, since it is weightless, carried by Western activists, who run the country by proxy and plunder our mineral wealth.
You exaggerate a little. President Kabila is still decisions that involve his country.How can he decide? We decided to something when you believe. He has no power. It's like a child, for whom it decides everything.
Children of Patrice Lumumba we decided to make a complaint in Belgium against the Belgians they suspect of involvement in the murder of their father. Do you agree with this fight?I bec they have suffered damage to the indelible history, but as long as it is a real trial. I hope they will stand against the forces of money, for a fair trial could be held.
The accounts were they resulted entirely from the Congo and the former colonial power, Belgium?Oh no, not at all! The Belgian-Congolese litigation has not been balance. We expect the United States, it will restore all our property and we compensate.
How do you explain the story to dubious of the Congo?I am among those who think that the lack of political maturity of our early leaders did not really help. When we learned that our leaders who were in Belgium were seeking immediate independence, we had written them, telling them he had to take into account the learning time. We felt that we should not go too hasty, given the situation of 1950-1960. We must necessarily go through a probationary period before taking over the management directly in public affairs. But they do not listen. My belief is that this lack of political maturity we have many connections and is the basis of a lot of mistakes and bad choices.
Patrice Lumumba would it have been too hasty?Absolutely! Lumumba part of those leaders who lacked political maturity.
But do you consider it as a nationalist?Yes, of course. In what he has done, we can not deny that he was a nationalist. But as he did not mature, I do not know if he can really take over management of the state and how far it would take us.
In the privacy of Etienne Tshisekedi
What is the main feature of your character?I'm headed.
Your favorite pastime?Reading .
What did you achieve the best in your life?My political struggle for democracy in the Congo .
Your favorite food?Fufu.
Your favorite animal?The dog.
Your last giggles?I remember.
And the last time you cried?That's when I learned that Joseph Kabila was put in power.
Do you believe in God?Yes.
What is your greatest fear?That Congo remains long in the state.
What you hate above all?Lying.
What you enjoy most of all?Sincerity.
Your favorite book, if you have one?The Bible.
Your biggest flaw?Steadfast.
Your greatest regret?That the Congo has never been off.
Your idea of happiness?It is to accomplish everything we want.
If you had the power, what would you change the world?Let men learn to love each other.
How would you die?In a sudden death.
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