RUBERWA LOOKS TOWARD THE FUTURE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 001824 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/04/2016 TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPKO AADP CG ELECTIONS SUBJECT: RUBERWA LOOKS TOWARD THE FUTURE REF: A. KINSHASA 1787 ¶B. KINSHASA 1794 ¶C. KINSHASA 1788 Classified By: PolCouns DBrown, reasons 1.4 b/d ¶1. (C) Summary. In a private meeting, Vice President Azarias Ruberwa emphasized the need to address the security, political and judicial concerns of defeated presidential candidate and fellow Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba. He declared himself open to working with President Joseph Kabila as a member of the government or opposition. He once again called for dialogue to address ethnic tensions which led to recent attacks by renegade General Laurent Nkunda in North Kivu. Ruberwa is working to recast himself as a statesman and is rumored to be a strong candidate for a ministerial post in a Kabila government. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) The Ambassador and Vice President Azarias Ruberwa reviewed post-election and security issues November 28 in the wake of fighting in North Kivu (refs A, B),Ruberwa's Deputy Chief of Staff Tshimpanga Matala and PolCouns sat in. Ruberwa, the transitional vice president responsible for defense and security, was talkative and relaxed in his last days in office. ¶3. (C) The Ambassador expressed appreciation for Ruberwa's efforts to ease tensions between President Joseph Kabila and Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba since the August 20-22 violence between their troops. Ruberwa flagged three issues that he said continue to concern Bemba: his personal security (by far Bemba's biggest concern),the role of the political opposition, and possible indictment by the International Criminal Court. ¶4. (C) Ruberwa stressed the importance of Kabila and Bemba reaching an agreement on Bemba's future security. The Ambassador noted that Kabila and MONUC are prepared to assist, but emphasized the need to find a formula that would reduce the size of Bemba's large private guard which was implicated in armed violence in August and November. A large private military force is not tenable. Ruberwa estimated that Bemba's guard currently numbers around 1000, and agreed that its continued presence risked disorder. The Ambassador stated that Bemba needs to repudiate violence clearly and publicly, but despite private assurances has never done so. ¶5. (C) Ruberwa expressed fears that procedural rules recently adopted by the National Assembly would reserve all key positions for the Kabila-allied AMP coalition and cripple Bemba's attempts to lead a viable opposition. He said he shared this concern. The Ambassador agreed on the importance of assuring the minority a voice in parliament, but noted that there were many ways to do this and ensure parliamentary oversight of the executive. Ruberwa acknowledged as well the Ambassador's point that the new Congolese parliament will be composed of various parties within the two major coalitions, each with their own agenda, and that parliamentarians' independence from executive or party heads could also be a factor. Ruberwa asserted, however, the U.S. Congressional models of operations, drawing from over 200 years of experience, were not necessarily applicable to the Congo. ¶6. (C) Ruberwa said the Kabila government should refrain from bringing a war crimes case against Bemba at the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Ambassador observed that the U.S. is not a party to the ICC, nor did he have any particular information regarding what cases ICC may or may not be pursuing. ICC member states do have treaty obligations to observe; however, we have seen no sign that President Kabila or the GDRC is urging the ICC to open or pursue a case against Bemba. Ruberwa agreed, stating that he thought Bemba's fear of ICC prosecution is overblown. ¶7. (C) Ruberwa was clearly interested in a senior position in the Kabila government. He said he could remain neutral, would not take a position of radical opposition, and was open to joining the government as minister. He said he would be interested potentially in Defense, Interior, Justice or the Supreme Court, but not as a token or figurehead. ¶8. (C) The Ambassador congratulated Ruberwa on his RCD party's apparent strong showing in provincial elections (ref C). Ruberwa said its low vote in legislative and presidential elections had been a shock, but that it had won 42 provincial assembly seats thus far, giving it the third-highest total of any party. Ruberwa added that the RCD KINSHASA 00001824 002 OF 002 expects to obtain provincial parliamentary seats in all provinces, except South Kivu where it appears no RCD-Goma candidates have been elected. ¶9. (C) The Ambassador condemned the fighting instigated by renegade General Laurent Nkunda in North Kivu province and summarized the previous day's CIAT communique on the subject. He stressed that military action will not resolve the concerns of the Tutsi groups Nkunda claims to be defending. Ruberwa agreed with the Ambassador's points and the main points of the CIAT communique, asserting that he shared opposition to the renewed violence. Ruberwa said however security guarantees remain the key issue for Nkunda, his troops and the Tutsi community, and said he is encouraging dialogue to ease tensions. The Ambassador stated that the government must assure all citizens that their rights will be respected. He said Nkunda's soldiers have no choice but to join the military integration or DDR process. Ruberwa observed that Nandes will dominate the North Kivu assembly. If adequate assurances are not given to the province's Tutsis, their fears will grow of being excluded and targeted. He said many Tutsis remain as refugees in Rwanda, and expressed hope that the post-Transition government would have the political will to address the issue. ¶10. (C) Ruberwa praised U.S. government efforts to promote peace in the country and region. He cited the Tripartite Plus Joint Commission as a good example of promoting dialogue. He and the Ambassador agreed on the importance of continuing the work of the Congolese and international community in the military reform commission Ruberwa has been chairing as Vice President. ¶11. (C) Comment. Ruberwa has fairly effectively managed to recast his image from rebel leader and Tutsi nationalist to that of a national politician and statesman. His party's relatively strong showing in provincial elections has resurrected leverage that its poor showing in the July 30 results appeared to have buried. There are many rumors floating as to the composition of the new government, with many including a Ruberwa appointment as justice minister. Ruberwa's goal of becoming defense minister is probably too much of a reach, but it appears his chances are good for retaining a prominent role in Kinshasa. End comment. MEECE