Congo Brazzaville: Draft constitution

President Denis Sassou Nguesso is in for a three-year transitional term

By Joseph Gouala in Brazzaville

Now there is a semblance of peace in Congo Brazzaville the government is beginning to hammer out a new constitution.

On Wednesday night preliminary proposals were agreed for a draft constitution that will be submitted to a referendum next year.

Draft proposals

Seven-year presidential term

Two chamber parliament

President cannot dissolve parliament

Parliament cannot dismiss president

The proposals pave the way for a presidential regime.

Congo's communication minister Francois Ibovi explained that the government had amended the first draft constitution submitted by a commission of experts in 1999.

"The current document will pave the way for a return to democracy in Congo-Brazzaville, after three years of transition under General Denis Sassou Nguesso's rule," Mr Ibovi said.

Reconciliation priority

He explained that amendments brought to the original text are meant to facilitate the reconciliation process in the country and to limit the number of institutions.

The current draft opens the way for a presidential regime, with a head of state elected for a seven year term, renewable only once.

Agreement with troops loyal to Pascal Lissouba ended the conflict

The president is also the head of government, he appoints and sacks ministers.

Parliament will be made up of two houses, the national assembly and the senate.

The president cannot dissolve parliament - which in turn cannot dismiss him.

The draft constitution will be discussed by Congo's political parties within the international mediation initiative chaired by Gabon's president Omar Bongo.

President Sassou Nguesso claims this international mediation is meant to help the Congolese to define what their institutions are going to be.

Criticism

But several opposition parties have criticised the government paper on the new constitution - which they say will create a constitutional monarchy in the country.

They also claim that Gabon's president Bongo is the only person to decide on the agenda of the international mediation.

This initiative was launched to try and find a long lasting solution to the armed conflicts which erupted in Congo in 1993, 1997 and 1998.

Disputes between the government and opposition parties on the objectives of this mediation have delayed the whole process.

Peace returned in Congo Brazzaville in December 1999 following an agreement between government forces and soldiers loyal to former president Pascal Lissouba.