GDRC APPOINTS NATIONAL POLICE CHIEF

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001177 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/28/2014 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINS PREL CG INR SUBJECT: GDRC APPOINTS NATIONAL POLICE CHIEF Classified By: Poloff Gons Nachman for Reasons 1.5 B and D ¶1. (U) Summary. The GDRC appointed a police inspector general and two deputy inspectors to the Congolese national police. These appointments (drawn from the ex-government and the two principal ex-rebel movements) have been well-received as a first step in creating an integrated police unit, but their effectiveness remains to be seen. End Summary. ¶2. (U) On June 19, President Kabila appointed General Daniel Katsuva as the Inspector General of the National Congolese Police -- a position he held prior to the transition. He also named Benjamin Alongaboni (from Jean-Pierre Bemba's Congolese Liberation Movement - MLC) to the number two post of Assistant Inspector for Investigations and Operations (Note: This is an intelligence position. End Note.) and Constantin Mudekereza (from the Congolese Rally for Democracy - RCD-G) to the number three position as the Assistant Inspector for Administration and Logistics. Bio Notes -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Daniel Katsuva is in his 60's and is an experienced military ex-FAZ General and a member of the Mundande tribe from Butembo, North Kivu who represents the former government faction. He received professional training in France and Belgium and worked for many years in Mobutu's military, including a position as army chief of staff in 1979. Mobutu eventually suspended him for his alleged involvement in organizing a coup. After Laurent Kabila came to power in 1997, Katsuva was named assistant police inspector. Following Kabila's death in 2001, Katsuva was named inspector general of the police for the areas under government control. Katsuva is well-regarded within the Congolese police and by MONUC's Civil Police staff. He is seen as well-trained and willing to work with others. ¶4. (SBU) General Benjamin Alongaboni is in his 40's and is part of the Gombe tribe from Equateur. Also an ex-FAZ officer, he received professional training at the School for the Training of Officers in Kananga and later received further training in Egypt. He is not well-known, but has long-time ties to Mobutuists. In 1997, Alongaboni went back to Equateur and joined Jean Pierre Bemba's MLC movement. ¶5. (SBU) General Constantin Mundekereza is in his 60's and is a Mushi from South Kivu. He has a degree in political science from Lubumbashi University and has worked as an instructor at many training centers including the Superior Military Center in Kinshasa under Mobutu. After the AFDL came to power in 1997, he was named provincial police inspector for South Kivu. During the Rwandan occupation in 1998, he became the RCD-G chief of police. Mundekereza has a good reputation within the police due to his previous work as a police instructor. (Comment: Mundekereza is seen as a nominal RCD-G member who joined this movement more out of convenience than conviction. End Comment.) ¶6. (C) A Kinshasa Police Captain told poloff that people were pleased with these appointments as it was an important step in creating an integrated national police. However, staff want the leadership to address the lack of proper training for the police and as well as material resources and salaries. Comment -------------- ¶7. (C) The appointment of a national police inspector and two deputies representing different government components is a positive first step towards creating a unified national police. However it remains to be seen how effective these individuals will be in their respective posts and how well they will work with each other. ¶8. (C) The MLC and the RCD-G have reportedly sought for some time the number two police post dealing with investigations and intelligence matters. This position has now been officially given to the MLC. The MLC's victory in securing this coveted intelligence post may reinforce RCD-G perceptions that the movement is getting less than its fair share of benefits from the transition. Having lost out on the number two police slot, the RCD-G will likely seek compensation by demanding other coveted jobs that have yet to be shared (e.g., ambassadorships or senior positions in state enterprises). HOOKS