Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KINSHASA505
2006-03-30 10:59:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:  

UDPS MEMBER ENTERS PRESIDENTIAL RACE

Tags:  PGOV KDEM CG 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO6848
OO RUEHMR
DE RUEHKI #0505 0891059
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 301059Z MAR 06
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3529
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 000505 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/30/2016
TAGS: PGOV KDEM CG
SUBJECT: UDPS MEMBER ENTERS PRESIDENTIAL RACE

REF: KINSHASA 489

Classified By: PolCouns MSanderson, reasons 1.4 b/d.

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 000505

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/30/2016
TAGS: PGOV KDEM CG
SUBJECT: UDPS MEMBER ENTERS PRESIDENTIAL RACE

REF: KINSHASA 489

Classified By: PolCouns MSanderson, reasons 1.4 b/d.


1. (C) Eve Bazaiba, member of the UDPS Founders and so-called
Director of the party (in charge of recruitment and social
programs) registered March 23 as an independent presidential
candidate. Her decision prompted party leader
Etienne Tshisekedi to hold a meeting over the weekend with
the Founders Group during which, according to Secretary
General Remy Masamba, Tshisekedi denounced Bazaiba as a
"traitor" and warned that anyone trying to emulate her
example would likewise be expelled from the party. Masamba
had told PolCouns previously that "some" party members
already have registered as independent candidates for the
National Assembly; he now believes that perhaps 30 have
registered in Kinshasa, including possibly two other members
of the Founders Group. Meanwhile, rumors are circulating that
UDPS hard-liner Valentin Mbaki is also preparing to register
-- probably for the presidential race -- while Masamba
continues to dither over his own electoral possibilities.


2. (C) Comment: Bazaiba's decision makes public the rupture
within the UDPS caused by Tshisekedi's adamant refusal to
take part in elections or permit his followers to do so.
While symbolically important -- and personally humiliating to
Tshisekedi -- Bazaiba does not have the necessary stature to

SIPDIS
provoke a large-scale defection of UDPS party members. Should
Mbaki or Masamba decide to throw their hats in the ring,
however, they could be followed by more significant numbers
of the quietly unhappy in the UDPS ranks. End comment.
MEECE