KOFI ANNAN'S VISIT TO DRC CONTINUES INTERNATIONAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000485

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/23/2016
TAGS: PGOV KPKO KDEM CG
SUBJECT: KOFI ANNAN'S VISIT TO DRC CONTINUES INTERNATIONAL
CALLS FOR PEACEFUL ELECTIONS

REF: A. KINSHASA 467


B. KINSHASA 460

C. KINSHASA 393

Classified By: PolOff KBel, reasons 1.4 b/d.


1. (U) Summary: Continuing to promote the international theme
of a steady march toward peaceful elections and conflict-free
governmental transition, U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan
completed his two-day trip to Kinshasa and left for Kisangani
the morning of March 23. During his meetings with DRC
president Kabila and the four vice presidents, as well as his
meeting with the president of the electoral commission and
members of civil society, Annan emphasized the international
community's support of elections in which all Congolese
should participate "without conditions." End summary.


2. (U) Kofi Annan's trip comes on the heels of visits by UN
Undersecretary General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Marie
Guehenno, as well as visits by the heads of three UN agencies
(reftels),and underscores the UN's support of the Congolese
and the DRC's upcoming elections. Annan noted that electoral
rules have been established, regulations and laws have been
put in place, and that "everybody should have the right to
participate without conditions... and everybody must respect
the rules of the game and respect the results."


3. (U) Annan also welcomed reports that the EU will form a
rapid-response peacekeeping force during the election period.
He noted that the international community has done all it
can to ensure peaceful elections, and that managing the
election process itself is now up to the Congolese. While
acknowledging the logistical difficulties, Mr. Annan urged
the Congolese people to take advantage of this "historic
opportunity to choose their destiny" and make the electoral
process work in spite of inevitable technical problems.


4. (C) In a closed March 22 meeting with the International
Committee to Accompany the Transition (CIAT),Annan urged the
member Ambassadors to seek a maximum degree of election
"inclusivity". In this regard, Annan noted he had met
privately both with DRC Vice President Ruberwa, who has been
threatening to suspend his participation, and opposition
figure, UDPS President Tshisekedi. Annan opined that
internal Congolese negotiations were underway that appeared
promising to avert Ruberwa's withdrawal. Annan acknowledged
Tshisekedi, however, as being more "complicated." Annan also

SIPDIS
expressed his fear that the announced election timetable
leading to a first-round June 18 election date can not be
maintained. Should delay become inevitable, clearly
undesirable as that would be, he said it would be better to
ensure a comprehensive review and announce a delay only once
of what ever duration is required, rather than undergo a
series of smaller delays that could undermine popular support
for the process. Finally, he also urged continuing CIAT
action to try to forestall the transition government
disintegrating too quickly, noting the need for fundamental
government operations to continue. Already, however, the
transition government structure, always tenuous at best,
looked to be coming apart.


5. (C) Various Ambassadors weighed in, generally concurring
with Annan's message, but raising other points as well. The
British Ambassador underscored the importance of political
leaders maintaining acceptable electoral campaign conduct.
Ambassador Meece observed that all the major existing parties
have major internal divisions, raising the possibility of one
or all essentially disintegrating as viable structures,
creating further uncertainties about DRC's post-election
political future. As well, security concerns remain a
foremost threat, arising from both armed groups in the east,
as well as inadequately paid, trained, and integrated
Congolese armed forces. The French Ambassador noted that
there are now appears to be a "regional consensus" favoring
stability, meaning the governments of Uganda and Rwanda seem
to support Congo moving toward elections. He also noted
another problem of possible IMF and Bank essential suspension
of funding due to problems associated with both programs,
potentially resulting in a major funding shortage precisely
around election time, when uncertainties and tensions would
be most pronounced. The Congo-Brazzaville Ambassador pointed
out that the DRC justice system is "not credible," a
particular concern in terms of resolving inevitable
post-election challenges. Annan took note of the various
concerns. He advised that CIAT Ambassadors could anticipate
receiving some UN proposals on how election challenges might
be handled, as well as thoughts on how to promote elections
inclusivity. In addition, Annan appealed to donors to

KINSHASA 00000485 002 OF 002


consider undertaking new efforts to help train Congolese
national election observers, and as well noted briefings that
the current election budget would likely need to be increased.


6. (C) Comment: Annan's public statement usefully reinforced
themes of the need to move toward elections in accordance
within the established agreements, and hopefully established
timelines. While calling for all to be involved in the
process, to the clear dismay of UDPS militants, he
conspicuously did not endorse Tshisekedi's demands for
various actions, all of which would mean further election
delays. As the most senior-ranking and highest-profile of the
recent series of VIP visitors, the Annan visit served as a
useful capstone to underscore international interest in and
support for the election process. End comment.
MEECE