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