BANYAMULENGE REFUGEES RETURN TO S. KIVU

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 000854

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/22/2015
TAGS: PGOV PREL PREF CG RW
SUBJECT: BANYAMULENGE REFUGEES RETURN TO S. KIVU


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


1. (C) Summary. Over the past week, about 480 Banyamulenge
refugees returned to South Kivu from Rwanda. Although the
return started smoothly, problems have developed in the past
few days. Post will continue to encourage all parties to help
the refugees return. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) Over the past week, about 480 Banyamulenge refugees
returned to South Kivu from Nyagatare camp in Cyangugu,
Rwanda. Per MONUC and UNHCR, the refugees came back because
the Rwandan Government started transferring refugees May 18
from Cyangugu to Kikuyu camp near the Rwanda/Uganda border
(140 miles from Cyangugu). MONUC and Vice Governor Kanangini
reported May 23 that the refugees were returning to Bukavu in
small, well-organized groups without significant problems.
Once in Bukavu, most were taking buses and trucks rented by
the Banyamulenge community to Uvira (60 miles south of
Bukavu) where some were continuing on foot to Minembwe (30
miles southwest of Uvira).

3.(C) Although the return started smoothly, problems have
developed in the past few days. MONUC poloff cautioned May 23
that there were unconfirmed reports of three attempted
abductions of Banyamulenge returnees and possibly
inflammatory local radio broadcasts in Swahili. British
poloff reported that Vice Governor Nziratimana (a
Munyamulenge) told her May 23 that a group of 89 returnees en
route from Bukavu to Uvira was stopped and detained overnight
May 22 at the Kamanyola border crossing by Mai Mai commander
Abdu. (Note: Due to poor roads, vehicles regularly transit
Rwanda en route from Bukavu to Uvira. Abdu regularly harasses
vehicles. End note.) They were allowed to continue on to
Uvira May 23.


4. (C) Nziratimana also reportedly said he did not know why
UNHCR had not provided returnee kits or transport. A
Kinshasa-based UNHCR officer told political assistant May 23
that UNHCR-Bukavu had not reported large numbers of returnees
over the past week and had not been asked to provide any
assistance (which it would provide if asked) except food aid.
The UNHCR officer said he planned to speak to the Bukavu
office later in the day, and added that the return of
Banyamulenge refugees was a difficult political issue for
UNHCR.


5. (C) A moderate NGO leader in Bukavu told poloff May 24
that during the night of May 23 some individuals with banners
saying "No to the return of rapists, the Banyamulenge
murderers" erected roadblocks and burned tires. He said civil
society would meet later in the day to issue a call for
Bukavu residents to stay calm and welcome their Banyamulenge
neighbors back to the Congo. The NGO leader said that the
Bukavu returnees did not have jobs or houses, and did not
appear to be receiving any assistance.

Comment
--------------


6. (C) The return of Banyamulenge refugees to South Kivu is a
much-awaited and positive sign. As expected, there have been
a few glitches. Post will continue to encourage the GDRC,
Banyamulenge and local groups to work together to help
refugees return peacefully to South Kivu. End comment.
MEECE