KISANGANI TENSE AS POPULATION FEARS SPREAD OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 001246

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/02/2014
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINS PREL CG INR
SUBJECT: KISANGANI TENSE AS POPULATION FEARS SPREAD OF
CONFLICT TO THEIR REGION


Classified By: Poloff Gons Nachman for Reasons 1.5 B and D


1. (C) Summary. Kisangani is currently tense as population
remains concerned about possible Rwandan aggression through
dissident RCD-G officer Laurent Nkunda. A large presence by
various GDRC military components has also added to this
tension and could increase the potential for problems,
especially if the supplies of food, etc. currently being
supplied by Kinshasa should cease. End Summary.

Strong GDRC Military Presence in Kisangani
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2. (C) Poloff spoke with NGO sources during a June 30 visit
to Kisangani. They said that although many soldiers had
transited through Kisangani on their way to Bukavu over the
past three weeks, close to 7,000 of them remained in
Kisangani. This figure includes:

- FARDC's Integrated Brigade: 3,500
- GSSP (Presidential Guard): 1,500-2,000
- Former RCD-G's 7th brigade: 1,000-1,500
- Mai-Mai (loyal to Padiri): 1,000


3. (C) Well-armed GSSP soldiers have created a roadblock
outside of the Kisangani airport where they search all
non-MONUC vehicles. They also have a strong presence in the
airport itself, guarding access to terminals and tarmac
areas. This has created some tension with civilian
authorities and travelers.


4. (C) According to NGOs, FARDC's newly trained integrated
brigade remains in Kisangani waiting for a yet to be
determined deployment. Although this brigade was initially
conceived as a peacekeeping-support initiative to assist
MONUC in Ituri, FARDC officials are reported to be discussing
instead the possible use of this brigade as a new "Kivus
Brigade". NGOs also note that this brigade is currently
receiving little if any support from the GDRC and that
soldiers do not have enough food to eat. (Comment: Sending
this brigade to the Kivus could pose a serious problem as
these soldiers lack basic combat training and may receive
little if any logistical support from the GDRC. End Comment.)

Population Fears Nkunda and Rwandan Intentions
-------------- -


5. (C) Congolese human rights workers said that there was
considerable fear among the population about Rwanda's
intentions towards the DRC. Many people see dissident RCD-G
officer Laurent Nkunda as a front for Rwanda's efforts to
control the East in order to pursue economic exploitation.


6. (C) A confrontation between members of General Padiri's
9th and General Obed's 8th military regions on June 17th was
seen by people in Kisangani as an effort by Obed to stop the
advance of Padiri's forces into Walikale. Mai Mai forces
loyal to Padiri had also engaged in a confrontation with
soldiers from the 8th military region days before that in the
same area of Walikale. Sources in Kisangani said that they
expect further confrontations as FARDC forces from Kisangani
will attempt to confront Nkunda in the near future. Indeed,
Padiri recently traveled to Lubutu-Walikale to mobilize
government forces in the area for future operations.

Growing anti-Rwandan and Some Anti-American Sentiment
-------------- --------------


7. (C) Congolese NGO workers in Kisangani said that people
were trying to boycott Rwandan-owned businesses such as a
telecom company and various supermarkets due to growing anger
and frustration with their perceived aggression towards the
DRC. The RCD-G's reputation has also suffered as a
consequence of RCD-G dissident's Nkunda and Mutebusi's
actions in Bukavu. Although the RCD-G was not popular in
Kisangani prior to the latest round of problems in Bukavu, it
did have some limited support. Now the RCD-G is widely viewed
as a unpatriotic entity largely controlled by Rwanda.
Nonetheless, people are also giving the benefit of the doubt
to newly appointed RCD-G Governor Theo Baruti, mainly because
he was appointed by the national government and because he
has tried to reassure the population with a professional and
diplomatic approach.


8. (C) Atanas Zafiropulos, who runs the Hellenic Club
Restaurant in Kisangani (Note: One of only three remaining
Greek nationals from a community that once had over 1,500
members. End Note.) said that he had heard anti-American
comments during demonstrations against MONUC earlier in June.
He noted that USAID's office had been specifically targeted
and that Congolese blamed the US for not pressuring Rwanda to
stop its aggression. Various Congolese also said that the US
and Great Britain had the influence to control Rwanda, but
had refused to do so. Some actually suggested that Anglophone
South African UN peacekeepers had sympathies for Rwanda and
had purposely refused to confront them in the Kivus.

Comment
--------------


9. (C) Kisangani will continue to experience tension as long
as the Nkunda situation remains unresolved. However, a poorly
coordinated effort by ill-equipped and poorly trained
government soldiers could also prove disastrous. Growing
militarization of the area will also increase the potential
for conflict between armed groups and the population. Reports
that soldiers from FARDC's newly integrated brigade in
Kisangani are not being paid and do not have food to eat are
also of concern as this increases the likelihood that they
will prey on civilians for their sustenance.
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