SOLDIERS ATTACK CIVILIANS IN MBANDAKA

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001088 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/05/2015 TAGS: PGOV PHUM MARR KPKO CG SUBJECT: SOLDIERS ATTACK CIVILIANS IN MBANDAKA Classified By: Poloff Gons Nachman for Reasons 1.4 B and D ¶1. (C) About 60 soldiers went on a rampage July 3 in Mbandaka in Equateur Province, killing 9 civilians, injuring 35, and raping 8 women. Initial press reports identified the troops as Mai Mai, but the Minister of Defense and the National Executive Secretary of the Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC),Thomas Luhaka, told Political Counselor they were MLC troops. MONUC's Head of Office in Mbandaka, however, told poloff the attackers were a mixture of Mai Mai and MLC soldiers based at a local army integration center. ¶2. (C) According to MONUC sources, the soldiers attacked the local population after finding the mutilated body of a colleague who had been reportedly involved in an extramarital affair. Most of the soldiers who participated in the rampage were subsequently arrested by other units of the army, and are currently being held at a site approximately 7 kms from Mbandaka. ¶3. (C) During the July 4th reception, prominent Mbandaka-based politician (and former MLC Minister) Jose Endundu confirmed to the Ambassador that order had been restored, at least for now. He observed, however, that tensions in the town are still running very high, with potential for further problems. Endundu also noted that if not successfully resolved quickly, the clash could have repercussions elsewhere. ¶4. (C) Comment: Mbandaka has been relatively stable over the past two years. The very poor living conditions of soldiers, including the lack of salary payments, likely played a role in the rampage. Though GDRC officials have repeatedly promised to address this situation by making regular payments to the troops, an effective method of getting soldiers their meager salaries is still not in place. End Comment. MEECE