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