Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KINSHASA965
2006-06-19 11:40:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:  

PRESIDENT KABILA WEDS

Tags:  PGOV PINR KDEM CG ELECTIONS 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO3285
PP RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR
DE RUEHKI #0965 1701140
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 191140Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4149
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
UNCLAS KINSHASA 000965 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR KDEM CG ELECTIONS
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT KABILA WEDS

REF: KINSHASA 790

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000965

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR KDEM CG ELECTIONS
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT KABILA WEDS

REF: KINSHASA 790


1. (U) President Kabila June 16 wed his long-time partner
Olive Lembe in a civil ceremony at his official residence in
Kinshasa. The civil ceremony was followed June 17 by a
religious marriage, presided over by Catholic Cardinal
Frederic Etsou and Protestant Monsignor Pierre Marini (who is
also President of the transitional Senate). The two events,
televised nationally, were attended by the families of both
Kabila and Lembe, government officials, heads of diplomatic
missions, and other VIPs.


2. (U) Notably absent from the proceedings was Vice President
Jean-Pierre Bemba, who is opposing Kabila in the July 30
presidential election. Bemba was traveling in eastern DRC.
The DRC's three other vice presidents, however, did attend
the ceremonies.


3. (SBU) Comment: Kabila's wedding, taking place shortly
before the official start of the presidential campaign June
29, is a decidedly political move. The marriage will lend the
President a certain gravitas, and he will be a stronger
candidate as a married man than he would have been single.
End comment.
MEECE