FINAL WAVE OF APPOINTMENTS IN TRANSITIONAL

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001616 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM CG ELECTIONS SUBJECT: FINAL WAVE OF APPOINTMENTS IN TRANSITIONAL GOVERNMENT RE-SHUFFLE REF: A. A. KINSHASA 1561 ¶B. B. KINSHASA 1465 ¶C. C. KINSHASA 1448 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Following President Kabila's ruling faction appointments of replacements for newly elected National Assembly members who were required to retire from their government posts on October 11 (ref A),the remaining transitional factions followed suit by naming their own replacements who were approved on October 16. Replacement ministers, governors and heads of parastatal companies appointed by the other factions for the remainder of the transition period (anticipated to last at most two to four months) generally represent a reshuffling of party faithful previously serving in a different ministry. Most of these short-term appointees will make little political difference, but they will add increased strain to the government's bottom line as all will be eligible for salaries, benefits, and severance packages after their limited service -- and some will undoubtedly find opportunities for "unofficial" personal profit. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) As reported reftel A, in accordance with the DRC's Constitution, forty-nine National Assembly members were required to resign their previous government posts within eight days of the approval of their new mandates. In order to fill high-level spots vacated by delegates to the new National Assembly, all factions of the transition government-- including those loyal to President Joseph Kabila, Vice Presidents Jean-Pierre Bemba and Azarias Ruberwa, Mai Mai groups, political opposition and civil society -- nominated replacements for the ministries and bureaus which remained under their control. Kabila's nominees, who were approved on October 11, have been followed by the nominees of the other transitional government factions, who were confirmed by presidential decree October ¶16. Few names stand out among the new Congolese ministers, governors and heads of parastatal companies. Several are failed National Assembly candidates, others are party functionaries or career public servants, and some have been transferred from other ministries. ¶3. (SBU) The appointment of Tharcisse Habarugira (RCD) as Minister of Defense is one of the notable exceptions. Habarugira inherits the position reserved to Azarias Ruberwa's RCD under the Sun City Accords. A Tutsi from the Jomba area near Rutshuru in North Kivu province, he is thought to be one of the few party members to retain at least some influence with renegade general Laurent Nkunda. Habarugira is also reputed to have a good working relationship with Ruberwa, who lost most of his political clout after the RCD's poor showing in the July elections. ¶4. (SBU) The remainder of the new ministerial appointees confirmed on October 16 follow: Minister of Justice: Pierre Ilunga Bundu wa Biluba (political opposition) Minister of Plan: Gerard Ntumba (MLC) Minister of Budget: Jean-Claude Molipe (MLC) Minister of Economy: Moise Nyarugabo (RCD) Minister of Mines: Mathieu Kalele Kabila (political opposition) Minister of Portfolio: Balamage Nkolo (RCD-G) Minister of Public Administration: Mme. Charlotte Twamba Anzelani (civil society) Minister of Agriculture: Romain Nimy (MLC) Minister of Rural Development: Xavier Idi Mwanuke (Mai Mai) Minister of Public Works/Infrastructure: Benjamin Kaswama (MLC) Minister of Environment: Elias Mulungula (Mai Mai) Minister of Tourism: Simon Tshitenge Minister of Primary/Secondary Education: Nyioni Bwanakawa Minister of Labor: Hubert Efole (RCD-G) Minister of Youth and Sport: Timothee Muteba (MLC) ¶5. (U) Provincial officials include: Governor of Bandundu: Edouard Wenzi Wakoyula (MLC) Vice Governor of Equateur: Jose Lipekele Vice Governors of Kasai Occidental: Ngandu Lukadi, Cosmat Minga Bengele Vice Governor of Province Orientale: Ngelengi Elle Vice Governor of South Kivu: Ignace Mupira Mambo. ¶6. (SBU) Comment: In policy terms, these lame-duck, short-term appointees will be hard pressed to accomplish much before they too are likely replaced sometime after the December 10 presidential inauguration. Elections of new governors by the Provincial Assemblies (whose members will also be elected on October 29) are scheduled in mid-January ¶2007. The heaviest cost for the GDRC may be the burden of providing full severance benefits, pensions and other perks for a raft of high-level appointees who will only hold their positions for a few months. End comment. MEECE