DRC PM-DESIGNATE PRESENTS FIVE-YEAR PLAN TO

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000199 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM ECON EFIN CG SUBJECT: DRC PM-DESIGNATE PRESENTS FIVE-YEAR PLAN TO NATIONAL ASSEMBLY REF: KINSHASA 185 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. Prime Minister-designate Gizenga has presented the new DRC government's plan of action for consideration by the National Assembly. It highlights initiatives in a wide range of areas and includes a special focus on governance issues. The government can begin work officially once the plan is approved by the Assembly. The ability of the largely untested and inexperienced government team to implement its vision remains to be seen. End summary. ¶2. (U) Congolese Prime Minister-designate Antoine Gizenga presented his government's plan of action ("programme du gouvernement") to the National Assembly's executive committee February 19. Gizenga was accompanied by Nkulu Mitumba, nominated as Minister of State at the Presidency, and Godefroid Mayobo, nominated as Minister at the Prime Ministry. The document is a five-year plan (2007-11) which describes current challenges, key areas for action, financing requirements and implementation procedures. It also includes an annex ("contrat du gouvernance") detailing priorities for improving governance during the period March-December 2007. ¶3. (U) The action plan must now be considered -- and approved -- by the full National Assembly in order for the new government to take office. Assembly President Vital Kamerhe told reporters after the meeting that this could come as early as the end of the week. Gizenga's team helpfully delivered copies for all the Assembly's 500 deputies in order to speed up the process. ¶4. (U) Gizenga and his 59 ministers and vice-ministers had presented the plan to President Joseph Kabila at a ceremony February 16 at the Palace of the Nation. Kabila did not speak, but Gizenga gave a short address pledging his government to "the re-foundation of the Republic, consolidation of peace, social and economic justice, establishment of the dignity of the Congolese people as well as reinforcement of the cohesion and unity of the nation." ¶5. (U) One question unrelated to the plan could potentially throw a last-minute wrench into the works: the phantom trade minister Kasongo Ilunga (reftel). It is not clear if the government can take office minus one of its members. The Unafec party, which was allotted the post in coalition talks, submitted a new name for consideration February 19, that of the party's secretary general Ilunga Mbunda. However, Gizenga has insisted that any minister resigning must do so in person at his (Gizenga's) office. Ilunga Mbunda and other Unafec members present at the February 19 announcement refused to take questions from the press, while Unafec president Honorius Kisembe Ngoy, universally blamed for the incident, has accused unnamed forces at the presidency of conspiring against him. ¶6. (SBU) A copy of the plan and the annex have been obtained by the Embassy, although it has not yet been publicly released. It details a focus on ten key areas: a) Peace and national unity b) Good governance c) Administrative reform and decentralization d) Diplomacy and international cooperation e) Growth and economic stability f) Infrastructure, including transportation, water and electricity and petroleum g) Housing and quality of life h) Social services, including health, education and scientific research, social security, sports and leisure, culture and arts i) HIV/AIDS j) Community development initiatives. ¶7. (SBU) The governance annex details seven areas for priority action: a) security sector b) transparency c) public finance d) natural resources e) public administration f) local government g) investment climate and parastatals. ¶8. (SBU) The plan calls for around USD 14.3bn in financing KINSHASA 00000199 002 OF 002 over its five-year life, and estimates that somewhat over half will have to come from external sources. It will be implemented by a steering committee composed of the prime minister and the ministers of plan, budget, finance and interior: Gizenga (Palu) and, respectively, Olivier Kamitatu (FR),Adolphe Muzito (Palu),Athanase Matenda (PPRD) and Denis Kalume (PPRD). ¶9. (SBU) Comment. Two generations after the Congo's independence from Belgium, and following years of exile, Gizenga has attained the position once held by his colleague Patrice Lumumba. It would be remarkable if his thoughts did not turn to his old comrade as he addressed Kabila at the former administrative complex of the Belgian governors-general. He intends from all reports to work at creating a legacy aimed at righting the wrongs of the past. The ability of the largely untested and inexperienced new government team to implement this vision, however, remains to be seen. The submission of the government program will, in any event, at long last permit a government to take office. Pending expected National Assembly approval this week, we anticipate that ministers will initiate handing-over procedures by next Monday, February 25, to take up their new duties. End comment. MEECE