RWANDA: NEXT STEPS ON BURUNDI

C O N F I D E N T I A L KIGALI 000194 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV RW SUBJECT: RWANDA: NEXT STEPS ON BURUNDI REF: STATE 22207 Classified By: Ambassador Michael R. Arietti, reason 1.4 (B/D) ¶1. (C) Mission delivered reftel demarche on February 27 to Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary General Amandin Rugira. Rugira agreed that events in Burundi were at a sensitive juncture, and said that the GOR supported the recent changes in the composition of the CNDD-FDD and the GOR. Former CNDD-FDD president Radjabu was in a weakened position, he said, and for the moment unable to destabilize the country. However, Radjabu continued to have supporters within the ruling party and the armed forces, and care had to be taken to avoid entirely alienating him. Perhaps some sort of senior role could be found for him within the government, where his voice could be heard, but his actual influence diminished. ¶2. (C) Rugira noted that Radjabu continued to pursue his legal claim concerning the alleged illegality of the February 7 party congress. This was a positive sign, for Radjabu appeared to be limiting his efforts to overcome that congress's decisions to appropriate legal venues. Such restrained behavior should be encouraged, he commented. In any case, he said, the GOR would continue to closely watch events, and counsel restraint and dialogue. ARIETTI