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