KINSHASA GOVERNOR PROMISES POLICE REFORMS

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001795 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2016 TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPKO ASEC CG ELECTIONS SUBJECT: KINSHASA GOVERNOR PROMISES POLICE REFORMS FOLLOWING SUPREME COURT VIOLENCE REF: KINSHASA 1777 Classified By: PolCouns DBrown, reasons 1.4 b/d. ¶1. (C) Summary. Kinshasa Governor Baudouin Liwanga reviewed issues November 22 raised by the Supreme Court riot by Bemba supporters the day before. He acknowledged that the lack of discipline by police who fled the scene was a serious problem, and took note of the Ambassador's concern about the risk of armed confrontation posed by the subsequent deployment of military elements in the capital. Liwanga said he was working to address deficiencies in the police revealed by the riot. He charged that MONUC troops were turning a blind eye to illegal activities by Bemba's guards. The Ambassador emphasized U.S. support for the democratic process and the importance of continued dialogue. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) The Ambassador met with Kinshasa Governor Baudouin Liwanga November 22, the day following violence at the Supreme Court by supporters of Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba (reftel); PolCouns and a Liwanga counselor sat in. Liwanga was in the middle of a series of meetings that morning to deal with fallout from the riot, but had ensured that this previously-scheduled meeting with the Ambassador remained on his schedule. ¶3. (C) The Ambassador expressed concern about the lack of discipline by police who had fled the Court building and abandoned much of their equipment. He noted that Congolese army forces were now deployed in key areas of the capital, and cited the risk of possible confrontation between the military and Bemba's guard force. He emphasized that police should retain primary responsibility for providing security in Kinshasa, and expressed hope that they would replace the troops as soon as possible. He noted that the police had made improvements in their operations, but that much remained to be done, including better coordination with MONUC and EUFOR ¶4. (C) Liwanga agreed that the police had not reacted properly. He said they had deployed no reserve during the incident, and were hampered by a divided command. He said he had emphasized this point to Interior Minister Denis Kalume, whose ministry is responsible for the national police, and that he would be meeting with the Inspector General of Police to consolidate command of the various forces. He said he had requested that elements of the 7th Integrated Brigade (IB) provide guards to protect certain buildings, but denied that they had been deployed militarily. Liwange concurred that military deployments in Kinshasa create real risks, but asserted that the positions taken by the 7th IB were static, with no additional patrols. ¶5. (C) Liwanga criticized the actions of MONUC peacekeepers in Kinshasa. He acknowledged that they are not police, but charged they were turning a blind eye to illegal activities by Bemba's guards in and around buildings where MONUC maintained a security presence. He claimed that Bemba's men had illegally detained individuals and were hiding arms under the eyes of MONUC troops. He asked the Ambassador to raise this issue with MONUC, as the UN troops were not subject to Congolese authority. ¶6. (C) The Ambassador noted that he has discussed these issues with fellow CIAT ambassadors, Vice President Azarias Ruberwa, and others. He emphasized the importance of continuing high-level dialogue and of supporting the work of the various mixed commissions that have been created to reduce tensions between the Bemba and Kabila camps. He reiterated Washington's continuing support for the democratic process in Congo, and stressed that a successful transition to democracy remains important not only for Congo but also for the rest of Africa. ¶7. (C) Comment. The Supreme Court riot clearly caught Liwanga and Kalume off guard. Both, however, also appear to understand the necessity of avoiding actions that would escalate tensions or further violence. End comment. MEECE