DRC SENATE TO OPEN REGULAR SESSION MARCH 15

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000293

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM CG
SUBJECT: DRC SENATE TO OPEN REGULAR SESSION MARCH 15


1. (U) Summary. The DRC Senate closed its special session with
completion of a draft internal rules proposal by an ad hoc committee
March 10. The text will be submitted for consideration by the full
Senate during the regular session beginning March 15. Once
approved, it must be certified by the Supreme Court certification
before leadership elections can take place. Current speculation for
the key post of Senate president focuses on candidates from the
center and west of the country. End summary.


2. (U) The newly-elected DRC Senate has moved slowly since opening
its special session February 3. A twenty-six member ad hoc
committee completed a draft internal rules proposal March 10. This
will be debated, and amendments considered, by the full Senate
during its three-month regular session, which opens March 15. The
final text must be certified as constitutional by the Supreme Court,
which will have 15 days to rule after receiving it. Once certified,
the text will be returned to the Senate for a final vote.


3. (U) The Senate can then proceed with election of its officers, a
seven-member executive committee ("bureau definitif") consisting of
a president, first and second vice presidents, a spokesperson
("rapporteur") and deputy, and an administrative and financial
officer ("questeur") and deputy. However, the timetable for
approval of Senate rules appears likely to push elections into
April. A temporary committee chaired by the oldest senator, Mulendo
Mbweshi Konguo, a traditional chief from Western Kasai, and assisted
by the two youngest, John Muyamba Ngove of Eastern Kasai and Patrick
Thierry Kakwata of Katanga, will continue to lead proceedings until
permanent officers are elected.


4. (U) There has been a good deal of speculation regarding the
Senate presidency, in part because the new Constitution stipulates
the eventual winner would succeed President Joseph Kabila in the
event he is unable to complete his five-year term. With Kabila's
AMP coalition holding a majority of seats, it is unlikely an
opposition figure such as Jean-Pierre Bemba would emerge as the
Senate's leader.


5. (SBU) Prominent names mentioned include: former transitional
Vice President Abdoulaye Yerodia; university professor, audit court
(Cour des Comptes) president and Mobutu-era prime minister Evariste
Mabi Mulumba; former Kabila chief of staff Leonard She Okitundu; and
AMP coordinator and former finance minister Andre Philippe Futa.
Senate Secretary General (and AMP member) Martine Masika, expressing
a view making the rounds in Kinshasa, said March 6 that since both
Kabila and National Assembly President Vital Kamerhe are from the
east, it would be politic to have a Senate President from the center
or west. Mabi (Western Kasai),She Okitunda and Futa (Eastern
Kasai) are all from the center, Yerodia (Bas-Congo) is from the
west.


6. (SBU) Comment. The Senate, in common with other post-Transition
institutions, has been slow getting up and running. In principle,
its special session should have lasted only 30 days. Its failure to
approve rules and elect officers during the session will set back
its timetable for forthcoming legislation, including the crucial
budget law, possibly by a significant margin. End comment.

MEECE