US embassy cable - 04KINSHASA1246

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 001246 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/02/2014 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, PINS, PREL, CG, INR 
SUBJECT: KISANGANI TENSE AS POPULATION FEARS SPREAD OF 
CONFLICT TO THEIR REGION 
 
 
Classified By: Poloff Gons Nachman for Reasons 1.5 B and D 
 
1. (C) Summary. Kisangani is currently tense as population 
remains concerned about possible Rwandan aggression through 
dissident RCD-G officer Laurent Nkunda. A large presence by 
various GDRC military components has also added to this 
tension and could increase the potential for problems, 
especially if the supplies of food, etc. currently being 
supplied by Kinshasa should cease. End Summary. 
 
Strong GDRC Military Presence in Kisangani 
------------------------------------------ 
 
2. (C) Poloff spoke with NGO sources during a June 30 visit 
to Kisangani. They said that although many soldiers had 
transited through Kisangani on their way to Bukavu over the 
past three weeks, close to 7,000 of them remained in 
Kisangani. This figure includes: 
 
- FARDC's Integrated Brigade: 3,500 
- GSSP (Presidential Guard):  1,500-2,000 
- Former RCD-G's 7th brigade: 1,000-1,500 
- Mai-Mai (loyal to Padiri):  1,000 
 
3. (C) Well-armed GSSP soldiers have created a roadblock 
outside of the Kisangani airport where they search all 
non-MONUC vehicles. They also have a strong presence in the 
airport itself, guarding access to terminals and tarmac 
areas. This has created some tension with civilian 
authorities and travelers. 
 
4. (C) According to NGOs, FARDC's newly trained integrated 
brigade remains in Kisangani waiting for a yet to be 
determined deployment. Although this brigade was initially 
conceived as a peacekeeping-support initiative to assist 
MONUC in Ituri, FARDC officials are reported to be discussing 
instead the possible use of this brigade as a new "Kivus 
Brigade".  NGOs also note that this brigade is currently 
receiving little if any support from the GDRC and that 
soldiers do not have enough food to eat. (Comment: Sending 
this brigade to the Kivus could pose a serious problem as 
these soldiers lack basic combat training and may receive 
little if any logistical support from the GDRC. End Comment.) 
 
Population Fears Nkunda and Rwandan Intentions 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
5. (C) Congolese human rights workers said that there was 
considerable fear among the population about Rwanda's 
intentions towards the DRC. Many people see dissident RCD-G 
officer Laurent Nkunda as a front for Rwanda's efforts to 
control the East in order to pursue economic exploitation. 
 
6. (C) A confrontation between members of General Padiri's 
9th and General Obed's 8th military regions on June 17th was 
seen by people in Kisangani as an effort by Obed to stop the 
advance of Padiri's forces into Walikale. Mai Mai forces 
loyal to Padiri had also engaged in a confrontation with 
soldiers from the 8th military region days before that in the 
same area of Walikale. Sources in Kisangani said that they 
expect further confrontations as FARDC forces from Kisangani 
will attempt to confront Nkunda in the near future. Indeed, 
Padiri recently traveled to Lubutu-Walikale to mobilize 
government forces in the area for future operations. 
 
Growing anti-Rwandan and Some Anti-American Sentiment 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
 
7. (C) Congolese NGO workers in Kisangani said that people 
were trying to boycott Rwandan-owned businesses such as a 
telecom company and various supermarkets due to growing anger 
and frustration with their perceived aggression towards the 
DRC. The RCD-G's reputation has also suffered as a 
consequence of RCD-G dissident's Nkunda and Mutebusi's 
actions in Bukavu. Although the RCD-G was not popular in 
Kisangani prior to the latest round of problems in Bukavu, it 
did have some limited support. Now the RCD-G is widely viewed 
as a unpatriotic entity largely controlled by Rwanda. 
Nonetheless, people are also giving the benefit of the doubt 
to newly appointed RCD-G Governor Theo Baruti, mainly because 
he was appointed by the national government and because he 
has tried to reassure the population with a professional and 
diplomatic approach. 
 
8. (C) Atanas Zafiropulos, who runs the Hellenic Club 
Restaurant in Kisangani (Note: One of only three remaining 
Greek nationals from a community that once had over 1,500 
members. End Note.) said that he had heard anti-American 
comments during demonstrations against MONUC earlier in June. 
He noted that USAID's office had been specifically targeted 
and that Congolese blamed the US for not pressuring Rwanda to 
stop its aggression. Various Congolese also said that the US 
and Great Britain had the influence to control Rwanda, but 
had refused to do so. Some actually suggested that Anglophone 
South African UN peacekeepers had sympathies for Rwanda and 
had purposely refused to confront them in the Kivus. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
9. (C) Kisangani will continue to experience tension as long 
as the Nkunda situation remains unresolved. However, a poorly 
coordinated effort by ill-equipped and poorly trained 
government soldiers could also prove disastrous. Growing 
militarization of the area will also increase the potential 
for conflict between armed groups and the population. Reports 
that soldiers from FARDC's newly integrated brigade in 
Kisangani are not being paid and do not have food to eat are 
also of concern as this increases the likelihood that they 
will prey on civilians for their sustenance. 
HOOKS