KABILA INAUGURATED AS PRESIDENT OF THE THIRD

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001833

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM CG ELECTIONS
SUBJECT: KABILA INAUGURATED AS PRESIDENT OF THE THIRD
REPUBLIC

REF: KINSHASA 1791


1. Summary: Joseph Kabila was inaugurated as the President
of the Democratic Republic of Congo on December 6. Numerous
African heads of state as well as high level international
delegations attended the ceremony in Kinshasa. Secretary of
Labor Elaine Chao headed the USG Presidential Delegation.
Jean-Pierre Bemba and other leaders of his Movement for the
Liberation of the Congo (MLC) political party did not attend
the ceremony. Kabila's inaugural address highlighted the
needs of the DRC and his plan to pursue good governance and
economic development. End summary.


2. Joseph Kabila's December 6 inauguration day was peaceful,
if hectic, as the city filled with Congolese and foreign
dignitaries for the investiture of the DRC's first
democratically-elected president in over 40 years. Principal
guests at the ceremony included the Heads of State of South
Africa, Angola, Republic of Congo, Central African Republic,
Gabon, TOGO, Burundi, and Namibia. The former presidents of
both Mozambique and Namibia attended the inauguration as
well. Numerous heads of government or ministerial-level
delegations represented other African, European, and Asian
countries. Neither Uganda or Rwanda were represented at the
ceremony.


3. The US Presidential Delegation was headed by Secretary of
Labor Elaine Chao. Belgium sent a delegation headed by Prime
Minister Guy Verhofstadt, Great Britain sent its Deputy Prime
Minister, France sent the President of its Constitutional
Council, and Germany was represented by its Foreign Minister.
Aldo Ajello, Special Representative of the European Union to
the Great Lakes Region, attended. The United Nations was
represented by Jean-Marie Guehenno, head of Peacekeeping
Operations.


4. Kabila's inaugural address lasted thirty minutes and
centered on an acknowledgment of the enormous amount of work
which faces the country. He made a strong call for an end to
both corruption and impunity, noting that "the prisons of the
State will be open to all those who place themselves outside
of the law." Kabila included a strong note of thanks to the
Independent Electoral Commission for its work organizing the
elections, and he saluted the "remarkable solidarity" of the
international community during the DRC Transition.


5. Kabila emphasized the need for the DRC to demand "the
trilogy of good governance, democracy, and respect for human
rights." He noted that these three pillars must support
economic development in any country, and cited the importance
of international support to the continuing progress of the
DRC, saying his goal would be "the diplomacy of development."
He noted the extremely high level of poverty in the Congo
and the need for the GDRC to address basics across society,
including infrastructure, roads, employment, schooling,
housing, and health care.


6. Kabila stated that one of his most important goals will
be to ensure the security and safety of the Congolese people,
and affirmed his intention to "eradicate every form of
insecurity and urban terrorism." He reaffirmed his support
for opposition views and stated his intention to live in
peace and good relations with neighboring countries. He
stated his commitment to strengthening the institutions of
the state to safeguard the balance between executive,
legislative and judicial powers. He noted that the Prime
Minister would be formally named within the next several days.


7. Kinshasa remained calm, with minimal traffic due to a
declared holiday but with a heavy security presence provided
by both Congolese and MONUC forces. Kisangani and Lubumbashi
reported fireworks and exuberant gatherings by Kabila
supporters. No security incidents related to the
inauguration were reported anywhere in the DRC.


8. Comment. Two and one half years after the establishment
of the Transitional Government, Kabila's successful
inauguration is nearly the last step of the long, arduous
transition process. Kabila said all the right things in his
inaugural speech, which was well received by both national
and international audiences. His actions in the next few
weeks, notably the announcement of his cabinet and his
interaction with the newly seated National Assembly, will
provide a concrete idea of his plans in the first phase of
the Third Republic in the Congo. End comment.
MEECE