US embassy cable - 05KINSHASA1161

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001161 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/17/2015 
TAGS: MARR, PGOV, CG 
SUBJECT: CONGOLESE MILITARY MOVES COMMANDERS 
 
 
Classified By: Poloff Meghan Moore for Reasons 1.4 B and D 
 
1. (C) SUMMARY. The Congolese military is in the process of 
moving a few key military commanders. As of July 18, Kinshasa 
observers believed that Brigadier General Matthieu Agolowa 
would replace South Kivu Military Regional Commander (MRC) 
Mbuja Mabe, and Banyamulenge General Patrick Masunzu would be 
posted to Eastern Kasai as Deputy Military Regional Commander 
(DMRC). Mabe's long-awaited replacement is unlikely to 
trigger any significant popular reaction. END SUMMARY. 
 
2. (SBU) In early July, the Congolese military (FARDC) 
published the names of a number of new MRCs and DMRCs, but 
did not specify where they would be deployed. As of July 18, 
the FARDC had not officially announced where it would assign 
the commanders, but Kinshasa observers generally agreed that 
Brigadier General Mbuja Mabe, currently MRC in Bukavu, South 
Kivu would be moved to the Kitona training base in Bas-Congo, 
and be replaced with Brigadier General Matthieu Agolowa, 
currently DMRC in Mbuji Mayi, Western Kasai. As of July 15, 
Mabe reportedly had left Bukavu, but the new MRC had not 
arrived. Observers also agreed that newly named DMRC General 
Patrick Masunzu would become the DMRC in Kananga, Eastern 
Kasai. 
 
3. (C)A Bukavu-based MONUC official and a civil society 
member told poloff July 14 that they were glad Mabe was 
leaving South Kivu because he had created a lot of 
unnecessary tension with the Mai Mai, contributed to tension 
between Banyamulenge and other Congolese citizens in the 
province, and was generally seen as very corrupt. The civil 
society member said Agolowa had a decent reputation as an 
ex-FAZ (Armed Forces of Zaire) general. Both thought that 
Masunzu's transfer from Minembwe on the High Plateau, where 
he is seen as the Banyamulenge's protector, to another 
location would be delicate, but agreed that Masunzu would 
probably accept the re-deployment. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
4. (C) Rumors of Mabe's imminent departure from Bukavu have 
been circulating for months. Mabe originally made a favorable 
impression on Post and other observers, although he quickly 
became a major target for Kigali and RCD-Goma for his alleged 
pro-Hutu extremist views. Whatever the merits of those 
charges, for the past year, his poor management of the Mai 
Mai, questionable behavior towards the Banyamulenge, and 
corruption have made him increasingly unpopular. A few 
members of Bukavu's civil society may whine about the loss of 
'Bukavu's savior' a sentiment that arose as a result of the 
May-June 2004 Bukavu crisis. His replacement now, however, by 
another ex-FAZ general from Equateur is likely to mitigate 
any popular negative reaction. 
MEECE