CONGOLESE MILITARY MOVES COMMANDERS

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001161

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/17/2015
TAGS: MARR PGOV CG
SUBJECT: CONGOLESE MILITARY MOVES COMMANDERS


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


1. (C) SUMMARY. The Congolese military is in the process of
moving a few key military commanders. As of July 18, Kinshasa
observers believed that Brigadier General Matthieu Agolowa
would replace South Kivu Military Regional Commander (MRC)
Mbuja Mabe, and Banyamulenge General Patrick Masunzu would be
posted to Eastern Kasai as Deputy Military Regional Commander
(DMRC). Mabe's long-awaited replacement is unlikely to
trigger any significant popular reaction. END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) In early July, the Congolese military (FARDC)
published the names of a number of new MRCs and DMRCs, but
did not specify where they would be deployed. As of July 18,
the FARDC had not officially announced where it would assign
the commanders, but Kinshasa observers generally agreed that
Brigadier General Mbuja Mabe, currently MRC in Bukavu, South
Kivu would be moved to the Kitona training base in Bas-Congo,
and be replaced with Brigadier General Matthieu Agolowa,
currently DMRC in Mbuji Mayi, Western Kasai. As of July 15,
Mabe reportedly had left Bukavu, but the new MRC had not
arrived. Observers also agreed that newly named DMRC General
Patrick Masunzu would become the DMRC in Kananga, Eastern
Kasai.


3. (C)A Bukavu-based MONUC official and a civil society
member told poloff July 14 that they were glad Mabe was
leaving South Kivu because he had created a lot of
unnecessary tension with the Mai Mai, contributed to tension
between Banyamulenge and other Congolese citizens in the
province, and was generally seen as very corrupt. The civil
society member said Agolowa had a decent reputation as an
ex-FAZ (Armed Forces of Zaire) general. Both thought that
Masunzu's transfer from Minembwe on the High Plateau, where
he is seen as the Banyamulenge's protector, to another
location would be delicate, but agreed that Masunzu would
probably accept the re-deployment.

Comment
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4. (C) Rumors of Mabe's imminent departure from Bukavu have
been circulating for months. Mabe originally made a favorable
impression on Post and other observers, although he quickly
became a major target for Kigali and RCD-Goma for his alleged
pro-Hutu extremist views. Whatever the merits of those
charges, for the past year, his poor management of the Mai
Mai, questionable behavior towards the Banyamulenge, and
corruption have made him increasingly unpopular. A few
members of Bukavu's civil society may whine about the loss of
'Bukavu's savior' a sentiment that arose as a result of the
May-June 2004 Bukavu crisis. His replacement now, however, by
another ex-FAZ general from Equateur is likely to mitigate
any popular negative reaction.
MEECE