VIOLENCE STRIKES COURTHOUSE, DELIBERATIONS AND

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001777

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ASEC KDEM KPKO CG ELECTIONS
SUBJECT: VIOLENCE STRIKES COURTHOUSE, DELIBERATIONS AND
FINAL DECISION DELAYED

REF: KINSHASA 1765


1. (U) Summary: Supporters of presidential candidate
Jean-Pierre Bemba clashed with police November 21 at the
Supreme Court building on the initial day of hearings on
Bemba's chalenges to provisional presidential election
resuls announced on November 15. No American citizens ere
involved, although an Embassy political assitant was present
throughout the confrontation. Sme documents related to
Bemba's legal challenge wre reportedly destroyed, but the
Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) has copies of all
election materials. Court deliberations may not be able to
resume for 48-72 hours. The 7th Integrated Brigade of the
national army (FARDC) has been deployed to the area around
the Court, replacing the Congolese police forces who fled the
confrontation. The Committee to Support the Transition
(CIAT) plans to issue a statement condemning the violence and
calling for both side to do the same. End summary.


2. (U) Violenceinstigated by supporters of presidential
candidae Jean-Pierre Bemba broke out on November 21, thefirst day of Supreme Court hearings on challenges o the
electoral results brought by Bemba's Movemnt for the
Liberation of the Congo (MLC) party (ef A). A crowd
estimated at 200 clashed with poice, beat at least one
officer, destroyed vehicle, set fire to a court building and
court records and looted adjacent offices.


3. (U) The disturance began at about 11:20 when a crowd of
Bemba upporters -- apparently intent upon provocation --
approached the Supreme Court, beating on cars wit sticks,
throwing rocks, and trying to destroy plice vehicles. The
Court had recently taken a recess during its hearing on
Bemba's electoral challenge, but justices and observers were
still inside the building. After members of the National
Congolese Police (PNC) fired shots into the air to disperse
the crowd, followed by teargas, unidentified members of the
crowd returned fire. The police "retreated," with some
witnesses reporting that many police jettisoned their
uniforms and fled. About 150 MONUC peacekeepers were
dispatched to the scene at about 12:00, where they took up
position and stabilized the situation.


4. (U) One of the Court's annexes was completely destroyed
by fire and the exterior of the main Court building showed
signs of smoke damage. Reports indicate that the crowd
pillaged computers, office supplies and other personal
effects from Court buildings, and looted an adjacent building
belonging to the city government. The extent of the damage
has not yet been assessed, but some Court records relevant to
Bemba's electoral challenge were reportedly destroyed.
Although the CEI maintains copies of all electoral documents,
the disruption could delay the Court's deliberations by 48 to
72 hours.


5. (U) The CIAT met on November 21 and discussed the
situation. A communique condemning the violence is to be
issued on November 22..


6. (SBU) Comment. A potentially explosive situation was
fortunately brought under control thanks to the quick
response of MONUC peacekeepers. Also fortunate is the fact
that, despite the close proximity of the disturbance to
Bemba's office and residence, none of his uniformed militia
were drawn in and the violence did not escalate. The failure
of the Congolese police, however, was particularly worrisome.
Eyewitnesses reported policemen stripping off their uniforms,
laying down their arms, and fleeing. This left a gap through
which the crowd gained access to the Courthouse. Minister of
the Interior Denis Kalume has now requested deployment of
members of the FARDC 7th Integrated Brigade in their place.
This deployment was made the evening of November 21. The
presence of FARDC troops at the Court and other key trouble
spots carries its own risks during an already tense period.
End comment.
MEECE