CONGOLESE TRANSITION ACTORS EVALUATE ELECTORAL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000218 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM PINS PREL CG SUBJECT: CONGOLESE TRANSITION ACTORS EVALUATE ELECTORAL PROCESS REF: A. KINSHASA 204 ¶B. KINSHASA 205 ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: Parliamentarians and other transition government officials met in Kinshasa February 2-4 to exchange views on how to improve the electoral process. Their main recommendations include increased GDRC financial and logistical support for the Independent Electoral Commission; starting voter registration before June; better coordination of electoral preparations and communications with the public; and acceleration of army and police integration and training. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) Senators, members of the National Assembly, the President of the High Media Authority, an advisor to the Presidency, members of the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI),and national and international experts participated in the elections subcommission of the February 2-4 "Inter-Institutional Seminar" in Kinshasa. Senator Bruno Mbiango Kekese, chairman of the Constitutional Drafting Commission, presided. Debate was somewhat disorganized and at times contentious. Abbe Apollinaire Malu-Malu, CEI President, was able to eventually focus the debate on the key issues of voter registration, a realistic electoral calendar, support for the CEI, and security for the elections. Final committee recommendations included the creation of an inter-institutional commission to follow-up on implementation of the seminar's action plan. Voter Registration by June -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Malu-Malu strongly recommended starting voter registration before the end of June. He said the CEI could have 2,000 of the required 9,000 registration kits by May, and recommended starting registration in Kinshasa. He noted that Kinshasa was an appropriate place to start because it needs only 1700 of the 2000 kits and it would be easier to monitor initial registration and address logistical concerns in the capital. Although some legislators agreed with Malu-Malu, emphasizing psychological importance of concrete action before June 30, others called for a simultaneous start throughout the country. Malu-Malu overcame these objections by agreeing to call the Kinshasa effort a "pilot project," and by conducting registration at the same time in a small eastern city. Electoral Commission Discusses "Realistic" Elections Calendar -------------- -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Malu-Malu spent a considerable amount of time explaining the tasks needed to prepare for and to hold elections, as well as the estimated costs, time frames, and responsibilities of the various institutions. He also urged the GDRC to take responsibility for elections. Although some participants questioned the CEI's cost and time estimates, and called for cheaper and faster alternatives, Annie Salumu, a parliamentarian from the Congo Liberation Movement (MLC) countered that there were no realistic alternatives. She said the CEI's projections appeared well thought-out and merited parliamentary support. After the morning discussions, Malu-Malu distributed three versions of draft electoral calendars, two of which projected elections in August 2006 and one in May 2006, dates which clearly shocked many participants. According to Salumu, the CEI was only trying to make people aware of the reality confronting them. Professor Nasiala Ma Solo, advisor to the Presidency, added that any eventual public announcement regarding a date for elections would have to be made in conjunction with parliament, to demonstrate government support for the CEI. Participants Agree on Need to Support Electoral Commission -------------- -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Malu-Malu complained about the lack of office space and overall material support for the CEI. He said in Kinshasa alone, the commission only had 30% of the office space it needed. CEI members also said they were $17 million dollars short of their estimated 2005 operating budget needs, and that the GDRC contribution to this budget was insufficient. Participants agreed that the GDRC needed to help the CEI find office and storage space around the country and to increase its contribution to the CEI's operating budget. There was a general consensus that the GDRC needed to make support for the elections a top priority for 2005. Army and Police Need Integration to Provide Security -------------- -------------- ¶6. (U) Several legislators expressed concern about the slow pace of demobilization and military and police integration, and urged the GDRC to accelerate the process. One deputy suggested increasing the number of integration centers in each province and cantoning existing troops away from populated areas before elections to prevent problems. Participants agreed that the police should take the lead on security during elections, but said that the army could also provide support, especially in addressing the problem of armed groups. One participant said the idea of accelerated integration was laudable but the GDRC government lacked the money to speed things up. Electoral Process Committee Recommendations Adopted -------------- -------------- ¶7. (U) On February 4, the full plenary of the inter-institutional seminar adopted a series of recommendations regarding the electoral process (see reftels for recommendations on the constitutional project and elections financing): -- Presidential Council (president and four vice-presidents) to make elections a priority in 2005. -- Reactivate the inter-institutional committee, created in April 2004 to monitor progress of each government institution in carrying out their electoral tasks. The committee is to meet monthly and to report delays. -- Create a communications unit to inform the public of relevant developments involving the electoral process. -- Invite all signatories of the peace accord to a regular dialogue on concrete problems of the electoral process. Invite non-signatory political parties to make positive contributions to the process. -- Both chambers of Parliament to adopt necessary budgetary measures to increase the national contribution to 10% of the estimated total electoral costs i.e. $28 million. -- Ministry of Interior to accelerate elaboration of a plan to provide security for the electoral process. -- Ministry of Defense to accelerate integration of the armed forces and to implement national disarmament, demobilization and community reintegration by October 2005. -- Ministry of Defense to reassure the public through the cantonment of troops and the rigorous control of armories. -- Ministries of Finance, Budget, and Public Works to provide the CEI with sufficient rehabilitated office space throughout the country by the end of February. -- The CEI agrees to deploy its 64 liaison offices around the country by the end of February; to start recruitment and training of 40,000 voting registration agents by March; and to start voter registration before June. COMMENT -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Although seminar participants only had the authority to make recommendations, the event did serve a useful purpose. The GDRC came under strong pressure to increase its contribution towards elections. The CEI openly exchanged information and communicated with parliamentarians and other transitional actors about the challenges facing the electoral process. The CEI also got the message across that other transitional institutions have electoral responsibilities, and outlined expected time frames to accomplish them. Parliamentarians also acknowledged the need to coordinate important electoral announcements with the CEI and to back it politically, though whether they will do so is another matter. END COMMENT. ¶9. (U) Bujumbura minimized considered. MEECE