In 2001, Étienne Tshisekedi was the national president of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (Union pour la démocratie et le progrès social, UDPS) (AFP-IFEX 26 Apr. 2001), and he is one of that organization's founders (UDPS 7 Dec. 1999). He was also the UDPS national president during his exile in 2000-2001 (AFP-IFEX 26 Apr. 2001). For further information on the UDPS and Étienne Tshisekedi, please see RDC42835.FE of 5 August 2004.

Étienne Tshisekedi returned to Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (RDC), in April 2001 after 15 months in exile (BBC 23 Apr. 2001b; AP Worldstream 23 Apr. 2001) or, according to some sources, after 16 months in exile (BBC 23 Apr. 2001a; AFP 23 Apr. 2001; AFP-IFEX 26 Apr. 2001). During an interview with Radio France Internationale, Étienne Tshisekedi said that he "spent almost 15 months touring Europe, speaking to the EU, visiting Canada and the United States, in order to meet officials of ... the international community" (RFI 23 Nov. 2001).

According to two sources, Étienne Tshisekedi left the RDC for [translation] "an eye operation in South Africa" (AFP 23 Apr. 2001; see also AP Worldstream 23 Apr. 2001).

No information on a meeting in Mbuyi Mayi (also known as Mbuji Mayi) could be found by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Agence France Presse (AFP). 23 April 2001. "L'opposant Étienne Tshisekedi de retour à Kinshasa après 16 mois d'absence." (Courrier AFP)

Agence France Presse (AFP) and International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX). 26 April 2001. "Police Hinder Press Meeting Congo Kinshasa Opposition Leader." (Afrol News) http://www.afrol.com/Headlines/2001_04/26_drc.htm [Accessed 29 Nov. 2004]

Associated Press (AP) Worldstream. 23 April 2001. Eddy Isango. "Congo Opposition Leader Returns, New Cabinet Sworn In." (LEXIS/NEXIS)

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). 23 April 2001a. "Opposition Leader, Tshisekedi, Returns to Congo." http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1292442.stm [Accessed 26 Nov. 2004]

_____. 23 April 2001b. "Opposition Leader Back in Kinshasa." http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1292588.stm [Accessed 29 Nov. 2004]

Radio France Internationale (RFI). 23 November 2001. Bruno Mines. "DRCongo: Opposition Leader Tshisekedi says Kabila Regime 'Illegitimate'." (BBC Monitoring Africa)

Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS). 7 December 1999. "Biographical Information and Detail of Etienne Tshisekedi wa Mulumba's Struggle for Democracy." http://www.udps.org/tshisekedi-bio-eng.html [Accessed 7 Dec. 2004]

Publications: Africa Research Bulletin; L'Afrique des Grands Lacs : annuaire 2000-2001/2001-2002; Europa World Yearbook 2004; Keesing's Record of World Events; Political Handbook of the World 2000-2002.

Internet sites, including: Association africaine des droits de l'homme (ASADHO), British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Canadian Centres for Teaching Peace (PEACE), Inter-Church Coalition on Africa, Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN), Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), United Nations, World News Connection (WNC).