US embassy cable - 04KINSHASA1959

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001959 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/21/2014 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, CG 
SUBJECT: WE DON'T WANT TO KILL KABILA SAYS MAI MAI LEADER 
 
Classified By: Econoff Peter Newman for reasons 1.4 b/d 
 
1. (C) During the course of an introductory courtesy call by 
the Ambassador on Minister of Environment, Anselme Enerunga, 
the Minister detoured into a discussion of internal DRC 
politics. Enerunga, who headed the Mai-Mai delegations in 
Pretoria and Sun City, expressed concern that the Mai Mai are 
being marginalized by some in the Presidency. He claimed 
there were rumors being spread that the Mai-Mai had plotted 
to assassinate Kabila and topple the government. 
 
2. (C) Enerunga stated that many Congolese politicians are 
fearful of the Mai-Mai because they resisted the Rwandans. 
Their "patriotic" resistance makes them popular with the 
Congolese and thus a threat to the rest. This was the cause 
of the unfounded rumors of a plot against Kabila. Enerunga 
also alluded to further designs against the Mai-Mai, claiming 
that the Rwandans orchestrate attacks on Banyamulenge simply 
to blame the Mai-Mai for massacres in the Eastern DRC. 
Additionally, he mentioned having had conversations with 
President Kabila in which Kabila questioned the Mai-Mai's 
motives and accused them of being killers. Enerunga attempted 
to assure the Ambassador that the Mai-Mai do not want to 
disrupt the transition in any way. 
 
3. (C) Comment. Enerunga's commentary was colored by 
affirmations of Mai-Mai patriotism and committment to the 
transition. He specifically noted that the Mai-Mai lacked a 
"foreign" supporter (such as Rwanda, Uganda, Angola or 
Zimbabwe). His comments also made it clear, however, that 
contrary to some perceptions all is not well for Mai-Mai 
relations within the government, and specifically with the 
Presidency. Enerunga spent most of the time suggesting that 
the USG and the CIAT should support the Mai-Mai in the 
transitional government. The Mai-Mai are not represented at 
high levels in the current government (2 ministers and one 
vice-minister) and were not pleased with the reorganization 
that took place in August. The Mai-Mai are clearly feeling 
marginalized and are reaching out for international support. 
End Comment. 
MEECE