CALM RETURNS TO KATANGA

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 000808 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2015 TAGS: PGOV PREL KPKO MARR CG SUBJECT: CALM RETURNS TO KATANGA REF: KINSHASA 779 Classified By: Poloff Meghan Moore for Reasons 1.4 B and D ¶1. (C) The President and several close advisors returned to Kinshasa May 13 after several days in Lubumbashi reportedly tracking down a major Katangan secessionist plot. As reported reftel, the secessionist rhetoric was really a poorly disguised crackdown on Air Force Commander General John Numbi's extra-curricular activities. As of May 16, the situation in Katanga was normal, Lubumbashi was calm, and authorities had released 21 of the 35 persons arrested in connection with the 'plot.' (Note: Andre Tshombe, son of former Katangan secessionist Moise Tshombe was still in detention. End note). Comment -------------- ¶2. (C) The situation has returned to normal, and Katanga does not pose an immediate security threat. At the same time, Post expects tensions between Katangans and Kasaians resident in Katanga to increase as we move towards elections. If June 30-related violence occurs in the DRC, Katanga will be one of the hot spots. DOUGHERTY