PRESIDENT KABILA'S TRIUMPHAL VISIT TO KISANGANI

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 002014

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/28/2014
TAGS: PGOV CG
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT KABILA'S TRIUMPHAL VISIT TO KISANGANI

Classified By: Poloff Meghan Moore for Reasons 1.4 B and D


1. (C) Summary: Thousands of residents warmly greeted
President Kabila during his long-anticpated first visit to
formerly-rebel-held territory since becoming President in

2001. His October 16-18 trip to Kisangani was widely seen as
a tangible sign of the country's reunification and the
kick-off for next year's presidential campaign. Although the
president's guards treated former RCD/G soldiers and
policeman poorly, and the Presidency refused to accredit
local journalists, the trip, on the whole, was positive. End
Summary.

Kabila Well-Received
--------------

2.(C) While in Kisangani, the President made a number of
speeches, met with business, civil service and religious
leaders, attended a special church service, and laid
foundation stones for a medical clinic and the central
market. Attending the presidential events were a number of
ambassadors (including the French Ambassador),foreign and
Kinshasa-based press (local journalists could not get
accredited),and members of the PPRD. Thanking Kisangani
residents for resisting occupation during the war, he said
his visit was a strong sign of reunification, that peace and
reconciliation have become realities, and elections must take
place. During his visit, he surprised his guards and others
by walking through the central market without a flak jacket,
according to Kinshasa-based press. A local human rights
leader told poloff that Kabila, who stayed in a tent in the
neighborhood most affected during the war, presented himself
as a man of the people and was very well-received by the
local population. He said many saw Kabila's visit as a launch
of his presidential campaign, complete with campaign
speeches, PPRD operatives who arrived early with envelopes
full of cash to mobilize people, and the payment of certain
civil servants after Kabila left.

Mistrust Continues
--------------

3.(C) Hundreds of heavily-armed presidential guards (GSSP)
were on hand to provide security for the President. During
the week prior to his arrival, they sent former RCD/G
soldiers as far away as Lubutu (about 150km),disarmed local
policeman who were cantoned outside city limits, searched
residences of the governor, vice governors, and ex-RCD/G
brigade commanders and deputy military regional commanders
(whose bodyguards were taken away). A local human rights
leader said that the GSSP blocked roads, cordoned off
neighborhoods, and arrested a number of people. On October
25, RCD/G Parliamentary Group Leader Moise Nyragabo
complained to Ambassador and poloff that ex-RCD/G soldiers,
including the deputy military regional commander and brigade
commanders, were kicked out of Kisangani prior to the
President's visit. Soldiers loyal to 9th Military Regional
Commander General Padiri were allowed to stay. USAID staff
and a local human rights leader said they fear the GSSP's
treatment of ex-RCD/G soldiers, and the GSSP's complete
military control of the city could exacerbate existing
tensions.

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

4.(C) Kabila's first visit to former rebel-held territory was
widely seen as a success. The presidential pre-campaign has
clearly started, with political opposition VP Z'Ahidi Ngoma
visiting Bukavu during the same weekend (which reportedly
annoyed Kabila),and MLC VP Bemba visiting Bukavu immediately
after. Kabila's warm reception in Kisangani may encourage him
to visit other eastern districts and towns, including Ituri
and Kindu. Although the GSSP treated former RCD/G soldiers
and policeman poorly, and the Presidency refused to accredit
local journalists, the trip, especially in terms of electoral
politics, was very positive for Kabila.
MEECE