TRANSITION ASSESSMENT: AN AMBITIOUS BLUEPRINT FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001143 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/14/2015 TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM KPKO CG SUBJECT: TRANSITION ASSESSMENT: AN AMBITIOUS BLUEPRINT FOR THE COMING YEAR REF: A. KINSHASA 964 ¶B. KINSHASA 01066 ¶C. KINSHASA 01077 Classified By: Poloff Meghan Moore for Reasons 1.4 B and D ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: The final report from the government's transition assessment seminar highlighted challenges faced during the past two years and outlined recommendations for the third - and last - year of the transition. Although some recommendations were constructive, the vague and overly-broad report lacked guidance as to how the government could achieve them. END SUMMARY. A Look Back -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The final report from the transition government's assessment seminar summed up challenges encountered over the past two years, such as budgetary constraints, bad governance, the slow integration of the army, periodic crises creating conflict between political actors, and the impartiality of certain media outlets. Lack of money and political will seemed to be the primary contributors to the government's inaction. Looking Forward -------------- ¶3. (U) The report, a bulleted laundry list of recommendations for the government's four standing commissions, outlined general recommendations for the coming year, including increasing transparency and fighting corruption. In the political, defense and security sector, key recommendations included prioritizing funding for activities focused on the transition; immediately disarming the FDLR; improving police and military living conditions; accelerating the DDR process; improving relationships with neighboring countries to consolidate peace in Central Africa; building new prisons and improving conditions in existing ones; increasing national radio and television coverage; and fighting against sexual violence. ¶4. (U) In the economic and financial sector, key recommendations included compiling monthly budget reports; conducting audits of all companies; tracking resources given to the army and police; finalizing the national civil servant census; forbidding the Central Bank from printing money; and limiting official travel. ¶5. (U) In the reconstruction and development sector, key recommendations included improving access to water and electricity throughout the country and accelerating the rehabilitation of the railroad and ports. In the social and cultural sector, key recommendations included guaranteeing the payment of salaries and building schools and hospitals. Comment -------------- ¶6. (C) The transition assessment report outlined numerous laudable recommendations, but it is unlikely that the government will be able to accomplish many during the coming year. While the assessment was arguably a generally useful exercise, the suggestions are vague and offer few concrete action items. The report's impact is further diluted by the overly-broad range of issues addressed, and the failure to identify clearly the most critical priority goals. The international community will need to continue to remain strongly engaged, primarily through the CIAT, to ensure that the highest priority transition items (i.e., disarming the FDLR, paying regular salaries, improving communication...) are accomplished. MEECE