Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KINSHASA131
2006-01-26 13:02:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:  

MLC VS. OLIVIER KAMITATU

Tags:  PGOV PREL KDEM CG ELECTIONS 
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UNCLAS KINSHASA 000131 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM CG ELECTIONS
SUBJECT: MLC VS. OLIVIER KAMITATU

REF: A. 05 KINSHASA 1956

B. 05 KINSHASA 2017

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000131

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM CG ELECTIONS
SUBJECT: MLC VS. OLIVIER KAMITATU

REF: A. 05 KINSHASA 1956

B. 05 KINSHASA 2017


1. (SBU) The intraparty battle within the MLC has now moved
to the courts. Olivier Kamitatu, the former MLC Secretary
General and current Speaker of the National Assembly, has
filed suit against the MLC for expelling him from his party
post and attempting to remove him as Speaker. Kamitatu's
November 24 letter to MLC Assembly members (reftel A) asking
them to consider an alliance with potential presidential
candidate Pierre Pay Pay sparked dissension between Kamitatu
and party leader (and DRC Vice President) Jean-Pierre Bemba,
and led the MLC's Board of Founders to expel him from the
party (reftel B).


2. (SBU) The Gombe Tribunal in Kinshasa heard arguments
January 11. The court has not indicated when it will issue a
ruling. On December 9, Bemba nominated a new MLC Secretary
General, Francois Mwamba, the current Minister of Budget, to
replace Kamitatu. Mwamba will be officially installed in his
new post pending results of the court case.


3. (SBU) Comment: The court's decision will rest on its
interpretation of two contradictory documents - the All
Global and Inclusive Accord and the Transitional
Constitution. The former allocates the position of Speaker
of the National Assembly to the MLC, from which Kamitatu has
been expelled. The latter requires that the Speaker retain
his post throughout the transition, barring exceptional
circumstances (treason, death, corruption, embezzlement). It
will be interesting to see which MLC Secretary General will
attend the MLC Party Convention this weekend -- Kamitatu or
Bemba's nominee -- and what effect Kamitatu's presence might
have, should he choose to attend. End comment.
MEECE