US embassy cable - 05KINSHASA854

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 000854 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/22/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, PREF, CG, RW 
SUBJECT: BANYAMULENGE REFUGEES RETURN TO S. KIVU 
 
 
Classified By: Poloff Meghan Moore for Reasons 1.4 B and D 
 
1. (C) Summary. Over the past week, about 480 Banyamulenge 
refugees returned to South Kivu from Rwanda. Although the 
return started smoothly, problems have developed in the past 
few days. Post will continue to encourage all parties to help 
the refugees return. END SUMMARY. 
 
2. (C) Over the past week, about 480 Banyamulenge refugees 
returned to South Kivu from Nyagatare camp in Cyangugu, 
Rwanda. Per MONUC and UNHCR, the refugees came back because 
the Rwandan Government started transferring refugees May 18 
from Cyangugu to Kikuyu camp near the Rwanda/Uganda border 
(140 miles from Cyangugu). MONUC and Vice Governor Kanangini 
reported May 23 that the refugees were returning to Bukavu in 
small, well-organized groups without significant problems. 
Once in Bukavu, most were taking buses and trucks rented by 
the Banyamulenge community to Uvira (60 miles south of 
Bukavu) where some were continuing on foot to Minembwe (30 
miles southwest of Uvira). 
 
3.(C) Although the return started smoothly, problems have 
developed in the past few days. MONUC poloff cautioned May 23 
that there were unconfirmed reports of three attempted 
abductions of Banyamulenge returnees and possibly 
inflammatory local radio broadcasts in Swahili. British 
poloff reported that Vice Governor Nziratimana (a 
Munyamulenge) told her May 23 that a group of 89 returnees en 
route from Bukavu to Uvira was stopped and detained overnight 
May 22 at the Kamanyola border crossing by Mai Mai commander 
Abdu. (Note: Due to poor roads, vehicles regularly transit 
Rwanda en route from Bukavu to Uvira. Abdu regularly harasses 
vehicles. End note.) They were allowed to continue on to 
Uvira May 23. 
 
4. (C) Nziratimana also reportedly said he did not know why 
UNHCR had not provided returnee kits or transport. A 
Kinshasa-based UNHCR officer told political assistant May 23 
that UNHCR-Bukavu had not reported large numbers of returnees 
over the past week and had not been asked to provide any 
assistance (which it would provide if asked) except food aid. 
The UNHCR officer said he planned to speak to the Bukavu 
office later in the day, and added that the return of 
Banyamulenge refugees was a difficult political issue for 
UNHCR. 
 
5. (C) A moderate NGO leader in Bukavu told poloff May 24 
that during the night of May 23 some individuals with banners 
saying "No to the return of rapists, the Banyamulenge 
murderers" erected roadblocks and burned tires. He said civil 
society would meet later in the day to issue a call for 
Bukavu residents to stay calm and welcome their Banyamulenge 
neighbors back to the Congo. The NGO leader said that the 
Bukavu returnees did not have jobs or houses, and did not 
appear to be receiving any assistance. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
6. (C) The return of Banyamulenge refugees to South Kivu is a 
much-awaited and positive sign. As expected, there have been 
a few glitches. Post will continue to encourage the GDRC, 
Banyamulenge and local groups to work together to help 
refugees return peacefully to South Kivu. End comment. 
MEECE