US embassy cable - 04KINSHASA2084

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 002084 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/12/2014 
TAGS: PGOV, KDEM, CG 
SUBJECT: KAMANDA WA KAMANDA ANOTHER PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL 
 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Roger Meece.  Reason 1.4 (b/d) 
 
1.  (C)  The Ambassador paid a courtesy call on Minister for 
Scientific Research Gerard Kamanda wa Kamanda at his office 
November 8.  Kamanda had earlier contacted the Ambassador by 
telephone requesting such a meeting as soon as could be 
arranged.  (Note: Kamanda holds his current portfolio under 
the Sun City Accord as a member of the political "opposition" 
with his own party, the Common Front of Nationalists. 
Kamanda is a former Foreign Minister during the last years of 
the Mobutu regime, again at the time representing 
"opposition" forces.  He fled into exile for a period 
following the May  1997 seizure of Kinshasa by Laurent 
Kabila,s ADFL foces.  End note.) 
 
2.  (C)  After opening pleasantries, Kamanda ran through a 
list of current political issues, gradually building a case 
testifying to the relative inability of current major party 
leaders to move transition political processes forward in a 
timely fashion.  Continuing, he commented that the remaining 
old generation politicians (e.g., Etienne Tshisekedi) had 
already demonstrated their inability to govern adequately, 
and that some of the newer very young people on the scene 
appeared to lack adequate experience or skills.  Therefore, 
Kamanda concluded another option should be available.  He 
said he wished to confide that he would be putting his own 
candidacy forward in Presidential elections, and added that 
he would like U.S. support. 
 
3.  (C)  The Ambassador responded firmly that the U.S. 
strongly supports open and fair elections, but would maintain 
a position of strict neutrality regarding individual 
candidates or parties.  He asked if Kamanda plans a public 
announcement of his candidacy soon; Kamanda hedged his 
response suggesting that timing would depend on events in the 
country.  The Ambassador also inquired about Kamanda,s 
ability to conduct a national campaign in terms of 
organization and funds.  Kamanda expressed confidence, 
implying that the essentials of a nation-wide provincial 
network are already in place. 
 
4.  (C)  Comment: There is already a great deal of political 
positioning in anticipation of elections, and at least some 
tentative moves toward coalition-building.  It is unclear if 
Kamanda, with a political base in Bandundu province and 
somewhat limited national exposure, is in fact serious about 
pursuing an independent candidacy as the nominee of his 
relatively small  party.  Alternatively, Kamanda could be 
laying the groundwork seeking to increase his bargaining 
position in negotiations with one or more other parties. 
Kamanda,s disclosure in any event is another sign that the 
early electoral season is very much underway.  End comment. 
MEECE