DRC ELECTIONS: RUBERWA STILL CRYING FOUL

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001256 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/07/2016 TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPKO CG ELECTIONS SUBJECT: DRC ELECTIONS: RUBERWA STILL CRYING FOUL REF: KINSHASA 1231 Classified By: PolOff KRBel for reasons 1.4 b/d. ¶1. (C) Summary: Ambassador and U.S. Congressman Donald Payne met with Vice President (and presidential candidate) Azarias Ruberwa on August 2. During the meeting, Ruberwa repeated his allegations of "widespread fraud" and promised to pursue his complaints through the appropriate legal channels. End summary. ¶2. (C) This first of Rep. Payne's four meetings with presidential candidates (septels) was cordial and lengthy, with both sides expressing initial satisfaction with the high rate of voter turnout and the largely peaceful voting process. The centerpiece of the conversation, however, was Ruberwa's clear dissatisfaction with preliminary counts that indicated he fared worse at the polls than he had anticipated. Ruberwa seemed convinced that the only explanation for his poor showing was fraud. His specific complaints echoed those detailed in his formal statement (reftel),including inappropriate coercion of illiterate voters; cases of Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) workers deliberately spoiling ballots of those whose choices they opposed; assault and threats by FDLR fighters against supporters of certain candidates; ballot boxes stuffed by political party operatives; and outright bribery by candidates. Ruberwa said he will document his complaints and pursue them through the legal process. He added that if his complaints were found to be legitimate, the CEI would be obliged to "reopen voting." ¶3. (C) Ruberwa was clearly torn between his desire to vindicate his own claims of fraud and his apparently sincere concern for the future of the DRC. In response to Rep. Payne's urging that Ruberwa not encourage his followers to discredit the system via premature or unfounded allegations, Ruberwa reiterated that his primary concern was the well-being of the DRC and its long-suffering people. He stated that "what is important is the country -- it is precious." ¶4. (C) Ruberwa conceded that a role existed in the DRC's democracy even for those who did not win in the elections, adding that he and his party would continue to work to strengthen democracy in the DRC. He emphasized that the elections should not, however, be winner-takes-all contests. Ruberwa said his hope is that the international community will remain involved in helping to develop democratic institutions, rule of law, and real independence for the Congolese people. ¶5. (C) Comment. Ruberwa is reluctant to acknowledge the fact that he has not won the presidential election -- a reality that has seemed obvious to most observers for months. In fact, he seems genuinely surprised to have done so poorly, perhaps because of his apparently sincere belief in his ideals and his own commitment to the future of the DRC. Despite his claims of widespread fraud in the East, Ruberwa needs to accept that even if some of his allegations are proven, it will not change his poor performance at the polls. If he is going to play a constructive role in the post-transition DRC, he needs to accept his loss. If he does not, he risks not only further marginalizing himself but also being perceived as a spoiler. End comment. ¶6. (U) Congressman Payne did not have an opportunity to clear on this cable. MEECE