RUBERWA ENGAGES IN QUIET DIPLOMACY ON BANYAMULENGE

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 002143

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/24/2014
TAGS: PGOV CG
SUBJECT: RUBERWA ENGAGES IN QUIET DIPLOMACY ON BANYAMULENGE
ISSUE

Classified By: PolCouns MSanderson, reasons 1.4 b/d.


1. (C) PolCouns spoke November 20 with Muller Ruhimbika, a
Banyamulenge leader, and November 22 with Jean-Marie Emungu,
VP Azarias Ruberwa's chief-of-staff, about Ruberwa's quick
trip to eastern Congo November 18-20. Accompanied by General
Masunzu (who commands Banyamulenge troops fiercely opposed to
Rwanda),Ruberwa visited Uvira and Minembwe and spoke to the
Banyamulenge communities there. According to Muller, Ruberwa
found the Banyamulenge in Minembwe to be in good spirits, but
cautioned them to treat their non-Banyamulenge (minority)
neighbors "well and kindly," so that in places like Uvira and
Bukavu, the Banyamulenge would be treated well by other
Congolese (the majority). Emungu said that Ruberwa then
joined North Kivu Governor Serufuli for a visit to the Masisi
Plain, where there has consistently been tension in recent
months among Mai Mai, Interhamwe, displaced Banyamulenge, and
Congolese military. Emungu said that Ruberwa urged the
Banyamulenge to return to South Kivu (most of the
Banyamulenge IDPs in Masisi fled there in time from areas
near Bukavu when that city came under attack),and
specifically suggested that they go to Minembwe, where they
will be safe.


2. (C) Comment: Unhindered by the normal spate of negative
publicity surrounding any of his attempts to visit eastern
Congo, Ruberwa seems to have been quietly effective. Monuc
Bukavu told PolCouns November 23 there is a movement of
Banyamulenge IDPs back into South Kivu, although it is not
clear yet whether their destination might be Minembwe. The
sole potential problem with this effort is that it continues
the trend toward "Banyamulenge-land" within South Kivu, a
zone protected by Masunzu and his men, which ultimately could
set up conflict between Masunzu and other FADRC elements. In
the meantime, however, Minembwe certainly could be a
safehaven destination for returning urban Banyamulenge from
Bukavu and Uvira who find themselves homeless and unwelcome
in those cities. Returning, even temporarily, to the High
Plains could possibly be one way to resolve the current
pressures by refugees in Cyangagu (Rwanda) who wish to return
to the DRC but currently are prohibited from doing so, at
least to Bukavu. Ruberwa has now begun a European trip
during which he will visit London, Paris and Brussels and
will, among other matters, discuss the Banyamulenge situation
in eastern Congo. Likewise, Muller and his compatriot Enock
(a Parliamentarian) will be in the U.S. for a visit,
beginning with a conference in Maine sponsored by diaspora
Banyamulenge. Muller's return from exile in France seems to
have launched an effort by the Banyamulenge to reach out to
the international community to explain their situation and
request assistance.
MEECE