US embassy cable - 04KINSHASA2014

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 002014 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/28/2014 
TAGS: PGOV, CG 
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT KABILA'S TRIUMPHAL VISIT TO KISANGANI 
 
Classified By: Poloff Meghan Moore for Reasons 1.4 B and D 
 
1. (C) Summary: Thousands of residents warmly greeted 
President Kabila during his long-anticpated first visit to 
formerly-rebel-held territory since becoming President in 
2001. His October 16-18 trip to Kisangani was widely seen as 
a tangible sign of the country's reunification and the 
kick-off for next year's presidential campaign. Although the 
president's guards treated former RCD/G soldiers and 
policeman poorly, and the Presidency refused to accredit 
local journalists, the trip, on the whole, was positive. End 
Summary. 
 
Kabila Well-Received 
-------------------- 
 
2.(C) While in Kisangani, the President made a number of 
speeches, met with business, civil service and religious 
leaders, attended a special church service, and laid 
foundation stones for a medical clinic and the central 
market. Attending the presidential events were a number of 
ambassadors (including the French Ambassador), foreign and 
Kinshasa-based press (local journalists could not get 
accredited), and members of the PPRD. Thanking Kisangani 
residents for resisting occupation during the war, he said 
his visit was a strong sign of reunification, that peace and 
reconciliation have become realities, and elections must take 
place. During his visit, he surprised his guards and others 
by walking through the central market without a flak jacket, 
according to Kinshasa-based press. A local human rights 
leader told poloff that Kabila, who stayed in a tent in the 
neighborhood most affected during the war, presented himself 
as a man of the people and was very well-received by the 
local population. He said many saw Kabila's visit as a launch 
of his presidential campaign, complete with campaign 
speeches, PPRD operatives who arrived early with envelopes 
full of cash to mobilize people, and the payment of certain 
civil servants after Kabila left. 
 
Mistrust Continues 
------------------ 
 
3.(C) Hundreds of heavily-armed presidential guards (GSSP) 
were on hand to provide security for the President. During 
the week prior to his arrival, they sent former RCD/G 
soldiers as far away as Lubutu (about 150km), disarmed local 
policeman who were cantoned outside city limits, searched 
residences of the governor, vice governors, and ex-RCD/G 
brigade commanders and deputy military regional commanders 
(whose bodyguards were taken away). A local human rights 
leader said that the GSSP blocked roads, cordoned off 
neighborhoods, and arrested a number of people. On October 
25, RCD/G Parliamentary Group Leader Moise Nyragabo 
complained to Ambassador and poloff that ex-RCD/G soldiers, 
including the deputy military regional commander and brigade 
commanders, were kicked out of Kisangani prior to the 
President's visit. Soldiers loyal to 9th Military Regional 
Commander General Padiri were allowed to stay. USAID staff 
and a local human rights leader said they fear the GSSP's 
treatment of ex-RCD/G soldiers, and the GSSP's complete 
military control of the city could exacerbate existing 
tensions. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
4.(C) Kabila's first visit to former rebel-held territory was 
widely seen as a success. The presidential pre-campaign has 
clearly started, with political opposition VP Z'Ahidi Ngoma 
visiting Bukavu during the same weekend (which reportedly 
annoyed Kabila), and MLC VP Bemba visiting Bukavu immediately 
after. Kabila's warm reception in Kisangani may encourage him 
to visit other eastern districts and towns, including Ituri 
and Kindu. Although the GSSP treated former RCD/G soldiers 
and policeman poorly, and the Presidency refused to accredit 
local journalists, the trip, especially in terms of electoral 
politics, was very positive for Kabila. 
MEECE