GDRC MAKES AMBASSADORIAL APPOINTMENTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001287 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/12/2014 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINS PREL CG SUBJECT: GDRC MAKES AMBASSADORIAL APPOINTMENTS Classified By: Poloff Gons Nachman for Reasons 1.5 B and D ¶1. (U) Summary. The GDRC has taken an important step forward in the transition with the appointments of ambassadors from the various composantes. The PPRD retained Washington while the important African posts of Lusaka and Luanda were given to the RCD-G and the MLC respectively. End Summary. ¶2. (U) FonMin Ghonda notified Embassy on July 3 of the GDRC's decisions concerning ambassadorial appointments. These appointments represent a significant step forward in the transition process and the power sharing envisioned by the Lusaka Accords. The postings to capitals of members of the UN Security Council were divided as follows: - Washington: PPRD - London: RCD-G - Paris: MLC - Moscow: Political Opposition - Beijing: Mai-Mai ¶3. (U) Other important posts were distributed in the following manner: - Brussels Embassy: PPRD - Brussels Consulate: MLC - Ottawa: RCD-G - Berlin: Civil Society - Rome: Political Opposition ¶4. (C) Among African posts, it is significant that Lusaka, site of the accords that gave birth to the power sharing agreement establishing the current transitional government, was given to the RCD-G. However, this was balanced with the MLC receiving Luanda. The PPRD retained the important posting in Pretoria which will see increased activity as South Africa pursues increased economic, commercial and security ties with the DRC. ¶5. (C) The RCD-G wanted to open the posts of career ambassadors to political appointments. However, FonMin Ghonda of the MLC as well as the PPRD resisted these attempts. This is a positive step as it will ensure that experienced diplomats will continue to serve and rotate to different postings. At this point it is unclear whether President Kabila will keep current DRC Ambassador in Washington, Faida Mutifu, in place. SCOTT