US embassy cable - 05KINSHASA1088

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001088 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/05/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, MARR, KPKO, CG 
SUBJECT: SOLDIERS ATTACK CIVILIANS IN MBANDAKA 
 
 
Classified By: Poloff Gons Nachman for Reasons 1.4 B and D 
 
1. (C) About 60 soldiers went on a rampage July 3 in Mbandaka 
in Equateur Province, killing 9 civilians, injuring 35, and 
raping 8 women. Initial press reports identified the troops 
as Mai Mai, but the Minister of Defense and the National 
Executive Secretary of the Movement for the Liberation of 
Congo (MLC), Thomas Luhaka, told Political Counselor they 
were MLC troops. MONUC's Head of Office in Mbandaka, however, 
told poloff the attackers were a mixture of Mai Mai and MLC 
soldiers based at a local army integration center. 
 
2. (C) According to MONUC sources, the soldiers attacked the 
local population after finding the mutilated body of a 
colleague who had been reportedly involved in an extramarital 
affair. Most of the soldiers who participated in the rampage 
were subsequently arrested by other units of the army, and 
are currently being held at a site approximately 7 kms from 
Mbandaka. 
 
3. (C) During the July 4th reception, prominent 
Mbandaka-based politician (and former MLC Minister) Jose 
Endundu confirmed to the Ambassador that order had been 
restored, at least for now. He observed, however, that 
tensions in the town are still running very high, with 
potential for further problems. Endundu also noted that if 
not successfully resolved quickly, the clash could have 
repercussions elsewhere. 
 
4. (C) Comment: Mbandaka has been relatively stable over the 
past two years. The very poor living conditions of soldiers, 
including the lack of salary payments, likely played a role 
in the rampage. Though GDRC officials have repeatedly 
promised to address this situation by making regular payments 
to the troops, an effective method of getting soldiers their 
meager salaries is still not in place. End Comment. 
MEECE