ITURI MILITIA REPRESENTATIVE DECLARES SUPPORT FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 000645 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/07/2015 TAGS: PGOV KPKO PHUM PREL CG SUBJECT: ITURI MILITIA REPRESENTATIVE DECLARES SUPPORT FOR DISARMAMENT Classified By: Poloff Gons Nachman for Reasons 1.4 B and D ¶1. (U) The Secretary General of the Union of Congolese Patriots-Lubanga (UPC-L),John Tinanzabo, declared on Radio Okapi in Bunia April 14 that his group supported the disarmament process in Ituri. He said UPC-L members who refused to participate in the disarmament program would be regarded as outlaws. Tinanzabo also complained about the arrest by Congolese authorities of UPC-L's leader Thomas Lubanga during the month of March. ¶2. (C) Comment: Although Tinanzabo's statement is a welcome step, its impact is likely to be limited as the UPC-L remains divided among Hema political and community leaders who do not see any benefits in continuing to fight and military leaders of Tutsi background (such as Bosco Ntaganda) who are opposed to the disarmament program. Tinanzabo's declaration, which may have been motivated by Thomas Lubanga's desire to be released from Makala Prison, is unlikely to achieve its objective. End Comment. MEECE