US embassy cable - 05KINSHASA1053

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 001053 
 
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E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, CASC, ASEC, CG 
SUBJECT: JUNE 30--KINSHASA CALM BUT JUMPY 
 
REF: KINSHASA 1042 
 
Classified By: Poloff Meghan Moore for Reasons 1.4 B and D 
 
1. (C) SUMMARY. Kinshasa is calm but jumpy in the run-up to 
June 30. As expected, the Congolese military and police have 
increased visible patrols throughout Kinshasa over the past 
few days, and salary payments for police and military in 
Kinshasa have started. There were no reported demonstrations, 
serious security incidents, or work disruptions in Kinshasa 
June 27 or 28. Post will continue to monitor closely the 
developing situation, especially the status of salary 
payments, police and military morale, and any concrete UDPS 
plans for demonstrations. END SUMMARY. 
 
Military Show of Force 
---------------------- 
 
2. (C) The Congolese military started a three-day 'show of 
force' on June 26 involving military helicopters, marching 
soldiers, and trucks transporting soldiers through most of 
Kinshasa. The Minister of Defense told polcouns June 25 that 
the 'show of force' was designed to scare potential 
troublemakers and reassure Congolese civilians that the 
police and military would protect them if things went poorly 
on June 30. By continuing the 'show of force' until the night 
of June 28, when all soldiers will be ordered to their 
barracks, government forces hope to demonstrate they are 
prepared to stop civil unrest, but will not react unless 
provoked. 
 
3. (C) RSO reported that up to 5,000 lightly armed soldiers 
wearing a mix of regular military and presidential guard 
uniforms were peacefully marching from near the airport 
towards central Kinshasa the morning of June 28. RSO sources 
said the soldiers were accompanied by marching bands, and 
were heading towards Camp Kokolo, where they expected General 
Kisempia (FARDC Chief of Staff) to deliver a speech later 
this afternoon. DATT Office also reported that several 
thousand soldiers were moving in Kinshasa on June 28 as part 
of an 'exercise.'  As of 1100 am local, there were no reports 
of any security incidents or clashes with civilians. 
 
4. (C) The Minister of Interior told polcouns the morning of 
June 28 that he planned to attend the graduation of 150 
Angolan-trained and -equipped special counter terrorism 
soldiers with Angola's Minister of Interior later in the day. 
The group, which has been trained to conduct city operations 
in close quarters is scheduled to move to a camp near the 
airport after graduation, where it will be under the command 
of the Minister of Interior. National Security Advisor Samba 
Kaputo told polcouns June 27 that this group could be used to 
identify leaders of problematic groups and arrest them. 
 
Increased Police Patrols 
------------------------- 
 
5. (C) RSO reported that a few thousand police with 
motorcycles, trucks and several tanks and armored vehicles 
conducted exercises the night of June 27. The police deployed 
to hot spots throughout the city, and then during the early 
morning of June 27 a large group met in the UDPS stronghold 
of Limite and disbanded. (Note: The UDPS is an opposition 
party that has called for the end of the transition and for 
people to 'peacefully' take to the streets on June 30. The 
UDPS' large-scale demonstrations have often led to violence. 
End note.) There were no reports of police misconduct, and 
there was no unusual police presence reported in areas near 
the Embassy. 
 
Salary Payments 
--------------- 
 
6. (C) Salary payments for police and military in Kinshasa 
started late June 26. National Security Advisor Samba Kaputo 
told polcouns June 27 that all police had been paid their 
regular salaries (about $12 for the rank-and-file), and food 
would be distributed June 28. DATT Office reported June 27 
that a Kinshasa-based police lieutenant had received his 
entire June salary of about $17, as well as a small food 
packet, and other police had received salaries and rice, and 
some had received a chicken. Minister of Interior told 
polcouns June 26 that Rapid Intervention Police (PIR) 
throughout the country had been paid their June salaries last 
week. The Minister added on June 27 that police officers 
working round-the-clock this week will also receive about an 
extra $2.50 per day. 
 
7. (C) Minister of Defense told polcouns June 25 that 
soldiers would be paid prior to June 30, and DATT Office 
reported on June 28 that some soldiers at the general 
headquarters received salaries June 27 based on rank, 
including authorized raises, but had not yet received 
expected food rations.  Kaputo told polcouns June 27 that 
military food distribution would take place on June 29, in 
part to make sure that soldiers would return to their 
barracks. As of June 28, salary payments to be delivered by 
the Air Force for soldiers outside Kinshasa had not yet 
started. 
 
 
Kinshasa Calm, But Jumpy 
------------------------ 
 
8. (C) RSO said that reports of sustained gunfire from Camp 
Tshatshi during the afternoon of June 27 was actually noise 
 
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from blasting at a rock quarry in Brazzaville. (Note: Noise 
from Camp Tshatshi and across the Congo River in DRC sounds 
like it comes from the same direction due to echoing caused 
by the river and hills on both sides of its banks. End note.) 
There was an accidental discharge during a training exercise 
at the Camp later in the day, which resulted in quickly 
contained, limited return fire. No one was hurt in the 
exchange. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
9. (C) As of mid-day on June 28, Kinshasa was calm with 
arrangements for June 30 proceeding as expected. Police and 
military patrols have increased over the past few days, 
salaries are being paid, and the government's security plan 
seems to be working. Post will continue to monitor closely 
the developing situation, especially salary payments, police 
and military morale, and any concrete UDPS plans for 
demonstrations. End comment. 
MEECE