US embassy cable - 05KINSHASA1302

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001302 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/11/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, CG 
SUBJECT: DRC-UGANDA DISCUSS CROSS BORDER TENSIONS 
 
 
Classified By: A/DCM MSanderson, reasons 1.4. b/d. 
 
1. (C)  Congolese Vice-President Azarias Ruberwa flew to 
Kampala August 9 to meet with Ugandan President Museveni and 
discuss the recent spike in cross-border security concerns, 
particularly in Ituri and North Kivu provinces.  Ruberwa was 
accompanied by Presidential Advisor Serufin Wej and Minister 
for Regional Cooperation Mbusa Nyamwisi.  Ruberwa's Chief of 
Staff Jean-Marie Emungu told A/DCM August 11 that during the 
August 10 meeting Museveni reiterated security concerns 
raised in the letter he sent in July to President Kabila, 
i.e., a supposed increase in the presence of ADF elements 
near the Ugandan border.  Museveni reportedly told Ruberwa 
that if the DRC or Monuc did not take action against these 
"terrorist" elements that Uganda would have to defend itself. 
 (Note:  The Ugandan President made the same point in his 
letter.  End Note.)  Emungu said that Nyamwisi, whose base is 
in the Beni-Butembu axis of North Kivu province, told 
Museveni that he had observed an increase in ADF elements in 
his area from about 500 to about 2,500, although he said he 
didn't know where the increased numbers came from. (Comment: 
Nyamwisi, who is prone to making unhelpful statements about 
the FDLR as well, is widely regarded by the Congolese as a 
mercenary politician whose loyalties are for sale to anyone, 
including Uganda or Rwanda.  We therefore take his statement 
with a large grain of salt, particularly as Monuc has not 
reported observing an increase in ADF presence in that area. 
End Comment.) 
 
2. (C)  Ruberwa countered by pointing to the unhindered 
presence of Ituri militia leaders in Kampala, at least some 
of whom (Bosco, Kakilewe) have arrest orders against them in 
Congo, and noted allegations that these militia continue to 
receive arms and/or training by some Ugandan elements. 
Ruberwa also raised Congolese concerns that these Ituri 
militia are developing new links with discontented elements 
in North Kivu province (such as some members of the ex-ANC), 
which could spread Ituri's instability to the neighboring 
province. 
 
3. (C)  As a result of these discussions, Ruberwa said that 
the GDRC will raise with MONUC a possible joint MONUC-FADRC 
military action against the ADF in Ituri, along the lines of 
current MONUC-FADRC activities against the FDLR in South 
Kivu. Museveni said that Uganda will declare the Ituri 
military leaders personas non grata, thereby enabling the GOU 
to arrest them even without an official demand from the GDRC. 
 Museveni also expressed interest in visiting Kinshasa 
"before the end of the year," an offer heartily welcomed by 
Ruberwa. 
MEECE