US embassy cable - 04KINSHASA1177

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001177 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/28/2014 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, PINS, PREL, CG, INR 
SUBJECT: GDRC APPOINTS NATIONAL POLICE CHIEF 
 
 
Classified By: Poloff Gons Nachman for Reasons 1.5 B and D 
 
1. (U) Summary. The GDRC appointed a police inspector general 
and two deputy inspectors to the Congolese national police. 
These appointments (drawn from the ex-government and the two 
principal ex-rebel movements) have been well-received as a 
first step in creating an integrated police unit, but their 
effectiveness remains to be seen.  End Summary. 
 
2. (U) On June 19, President Kabila appointed General Daniel 
Katsuva as the Inspector General of the National Congolese 
Police -- a position he held prior to the transition. He also 
named Benjamin Alongaboni (from Jean-Pierre Bemba's Congolese 
Liberation Movement - MLC) to the number two post of 
Assistant Inspector for Investigations and Operations (Note: 
This is an intelligence position. End Note.) and Constantin 
Mudekereza (from the Congolese Rally for Democracy - RCD-G) 
to the number three position as the Assistant Inspector for 
Administration and Logistics. 
 
Bio Notes 
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3. (SBU) Daniel Katsuva is in his 60's and is an experienced 
military ex-FAZ General and a member of the Mundande tribe 
from Butembo, North Kivu who represents the former government 
faction. He received professional training in France and 
Belgium and worked for many years in Mobutu's military, 
including a position as army chief of staff in 1979. Mobutu 
eventually suspended him for his alleged involvement in 
organizing a coup. After Laurent Kabila came to power in 
1997, Katsuva was named assistant police inspector. Following 
Kabila's death in 2001, Katsuva was named inspector general 
of the police for  the areas under government control. 
Katsuva is well-regarded within the Congolese police and by 
MONUC's Civil Police staff. He is seen as well-trained and 
willing to work with others. 
 
4. (SBU) General Benjamin Alongaboni is in his 40's and is 
part of the Gombe tribe from Equateur. Also an ex-FAZ 
officer, he received professional training at the School for 
the Training of Officers in Kananga and later received 
further training in Egypt. He is not well-known, but has 
long-time ties to Mobutuists. In 1997, Alongaboni went back 
to Equateur and joined Jean Pierre Bemba's MLC movement. 
 
5. (SBU) General Constantin Mundekereza is in his 60's and is 
a Mushi from South Kivu. He has a degree in political science 
from Lubumbashi University and has worked as an instructor at 
many training centers including the Superior Military Center 
in Kinshasa under Mobutu. After the AFDL came to power in 
1997, he was named provincial police inspector for South 
Kivu. During the Rwandan occupation in 1998, he became the 
RCD-G chief of police. Mundekereza has a good reputation 
within the police due to his previous work as a police 
instructor. (Comment: Mundekereza is seen as a nominal RCD-G 
member who joined this movement more out of convenience than 
conviction. End Comment.) 
 
6. (C) A Kinshasa Police Captain told poloff that people were 
pleased with these appointments as it was an important step 
in creating an integrated national police. However, staff 
want the leadership to address the lack of proper training 
for the police and as well as material resources and salaries. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
7. (C) The appointment of a national police inspector and two 
deputies representing different government components is a 
positive first step towards creating a unified national 
police. However it remains to be seen how effective these 
individuals will be in their respective posts and how well 
they will work with each other. 
 
8. (C) The MLC and the RCD-G have reportedly sought for some 
time the number two police post dealing with investigations 
and intelligence matters. This position has now been 
officially given to the MLC. The MLC's victory in securing 
this coveted intelligence post may reinforce RCD-G 
perceptions that the movement is getting less than its fair 
share of benefits from the transition.  Having lost out on 
the number two police slot, the RCD-G will likely seek 
compensation by demanding other coveted jobs that have yet to 
be shared (e.g., ambassadorships or senior positions in state 
enterprises). 
HOOKS