JUNE 30 IN DRC PASSES WITHOUT MAJOR INCIDENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001064 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/03/2016 TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPKO CG ELECTIONS SUBJECT: JUNE 30 IN DRC PASSES WITHOUT MAJOR INCIDENT Classified By: PolOff CBrown, reasons 1.4 b/d. ¶1. (U) The DRC celebrated June 30 its 46th anniversary of independence without major security problems despite expectations of civil disturbances from political opposition parties protesting the continuation of the country's transitional government. The DRC's National Day, which coincided with the start of the official political campaign period, saw only a few scattered incidents of clashes between demonstrators and police, some related to ongoing political consultations in the capital (septel). The morning of June 30, Congolese police fired tear gas into the air to disperse a crowd of supporters of the opposition party Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS),who were protesting outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (the site of the aforementioned consultations). There were no reports of injuries following this incident. ¶2. (U) In Kinshasa streets were largely empty and businesses closed as most Congolese stayed home in anticipation of potential unrest. Police presence was noticeably heavy, particularly in the downtown Gombe district, and military helicopters circled over the city several times during the day. Small, scattered incidents, particularly in the UDPS neighborhoods of Limete and Masina, were easily contained by police. Some arrests in the same neighborhoods were reportedly made in Kinshasa when individuals tore down campaign materials, an act prohibited by the DRC's electoral law. Otherwise, Kinshasa remained calm throughout the day. ¶3. (C) The only reported deaths in the DRC stemming from June 30 activities came in Matadi in the province of Bas Congo. According to MONUC officials, members of the anti-government group Bundu dia Kongo (BDK) were protesting illegally the morning of June 30, demanding the installation of their leader as the governor of the province. (Note: Protest marches such as these must receive authorization from the state to take place. The BDK did not have such permission. The BDK itself advocates the establishment of an independent Kingdom of Kongo in parts of Bas Congo and Bandundu province. End note.) Military spokesmen said that when confronted, the protesters killed a soldier, whose comrades subsequently retaliated, killing 12 people and wounding several civilians in the crossfire. Minister of Interior Theophile Mbemba told PolCouns he has launched an inquiry in the incident and dispatched a security team to Matadi to conduct further investigations. ¶4. (C) One potentially serious flashpoint was averted June 29 between Air Force Chief of Staff John Numbi and Vice President (and presidential candidate) Jean-Pierre Bemba. Numbi and others, including from the Bemba's MLC party, told PolCouns that members of Bemba's security force arrived at his house that day and shot and arrested two members of his security detail, then "arrested" Numbi's men and departed in one of Numbi's vehicles. After a series of negotiations between Numbi and Bemba, Numbi's men and the appropriated vehicle were returned. Bemba later apologized in person to Numbi for the actions taken by his security forces. ¶5. (U) Throughout the rest of the DRC, June 30 passed quietly and without incident. In Western and Eastern Kasai provinces, the strongholds of the UDPS, sources reported that police presence was very heavy and no demonstrations were held in either Kananga or Mbuji Mayi. Sources in Kisangani reported that a small military parade in honor of the national holiday was held, but otherwise the city was quiet. In Goma, where the mayor had banned any political demonstrations on June 30 due to President Kabila's visit, no incidents were reported either. ¶6. (C) Comment: While this year's June 30 anniversary was not expected to be as disruptive as last year's, it is nonetheless welcome news that the day passed in relative calm, the debate over political "consultations" notwithstanding. The lack of any noticeable UDPS presence or demonstration -- either in Kinshasa or the Kasais -- indicates as well the long-time opposition party may be losing the ability to gather the thousands of demonstrators it once could. Nonetheless, there are certainly warning signs of serious trouble ahead, as evidenced by the episode between Numbi and Bemba. End comment. MEECE