US embassy cable - 04KINSHASA1596

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001596 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/24/2014 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, CG 
SUBJECT: RUBERWA SUSPENDS PARTICIPATION IN TRANSITION 
 
REF: KINSHASA 1576 
 
Classified By: Poloff Meghan Moore for Reasons 1.5 B and D 
 
1. Summary: On August 23, RCD/G VP Azarias Ruberwa announced 
that the RCD/G had suspended its activities in the transition 
government and called for an international mediator to hold 
discussions to break the current impasse. Ruberwa, however, 
left the door open by  suspending, his participation and 
not resigning from the transition. Secret talks facilitated 
by South Africa between the RCD/G and the PPRD scheduled for 
the weekend of August 21 never took place because they were 
leaked into the public domain. On August 21, N. Kivu Governor 
Eugene Serufuli and Gen Obedi issued an arrest warrant for 
Nkunda with the tacit support of VP Ruberwa. As of August 24, 
Nkunda had not been apprehended. Going forward, the RCD/G is 
likely to look for progress on military integration, 
specifically the establishment of a supreme defense council, 
a decrease in the relative power and influence of the maison 
militaire (the President,s parallel defense structure), and 
the removal of a large number of troops the FARDC has 
deployed out east over the past few months. End Summary. 
 
Ruberwa Suspends Participation in Transition 
--------------------------------------------- ----------- 
 
2. (C) At a press conference the night of August 23, VP 
Azarias Ruberwa said that the RCD/G had suspended its 
activities in the transition government, and called for an 
international mediator to hold discussions to break the 
current impasse (septel). On August 23, Dr. Emile Ilunga and 
other RCD/G moderates in Kinshasa drafted a press communique 
stating that they disagreed with Ruberwa and planned to 
continue their participation in the transition (septel). 
 
Secret Talks Scuttled 
 
SIPDIS 
--------------------- 
 
3. (C) On August 24, a Presidential Advisor told polcouns 
that scheduled secret talks in South Africa between the RCD/G 
and the PPRD never took place because they were leaked into 
the public domain.  Although RCD/G representatives Moise 
Nyarugabo (Leader of the RCD/G parliamentary group), Matadi 
Nenga (1st VP of the RCD) and Adolphe Onusumba (a senior 
parliamentarian and former RCD president) went to South 
Africa, Kabila,s representatives never joined them. On 
August 23, a western journalist told poloff that Nyarugabo, 
who returned to Goma the night of August 22, was spitting 
venom at the PPRD about both the canceled meeting, and PPRD 
Secretary General Kamerhe,s August 19 speech. (reftel) 
 
SIPDIS 
 
Serufuli Issues Nkunda Arrest Warrant 
------------------------------------- 
 
4. (C) On August 21, N. Kivu Governor Eugene Serufuli told 
polcouns that he and Gen Obedi had issued an arrest warrant 
for Nkunda with the tacit support of VP Ruberwa. As of August 
24, Nkunda had not been apprehended. His exact whereabouts 
are unknown, but he is rumored to be in Gisenyi. (Comment: It 
is highly likely that Serufuli issued this arrest warrant 
after warning Nkunda to stay out of sight. End comment.) A 
number of sources in Goma, including  S. Kivu Vice Governor 
Thomas Nziratimana have told poloffs that Nkunda, who by all 
accounts was not very stable to begin with, is now behaving 
like a  mad, man. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
5. (C) It is important to note that Ruberwa left the door 
open by  suspending, his participation and not resigning 
from the transition. This declaration amounts to what Ruberwa 
called for last week*a pause in the transition to address 
problems. It appears to mean that he was unable to convince 
RCD-Goma hardliners to continue with the status quo. Going 
forward, the RCD/G is likely to look for progress on military 
integration, specifically the establishment of a supreme 
defense council and a decrease in the relative power and 
influence of the maison militaire (the President,s parallel 
defense structure). 
MEECE