CONGOLESE OPPOSITION PLAYING ROLE IN NATIONAL

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000426 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM CG SUBJECT: CONGOLESE OPPOSITION PLAYING ROLE IN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY REF: A. KINSHASA 386 ¶B. KINSHASA 343 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Opposition deputies in the DRC's National Assembly are assuming some important leadership roles. An RCD-N opposition member leads the special commission investigating the Angola border question, opposition deputies have formed three of the twelve formal political groups, and opposition deputies will fill key leadership positions in the Assembly's permanent committees. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) The composition of the Assembly's seven permanent committees and one special committee was announced on April ¶11. The committees, each of which includes members of all parties represented in the Assembly, will examine and deliberate matters and legislation referred to them by the entire Assembly. Permanent committees include: political, administrative, and judicial; economic and financial; social and cultural; external relations; defense and security; environment and natural resources; infrastructure and territorial management; and the special "Comite des Sages" (Wise Men's Committee),which will handle internal questions related to conduct and ethics. Opposition leaders will head two of them, and opposition figures will be included in other leadership roles. Delly Sesanga, of Jean-Pierre Bemba's Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC),was named president of the important political, legal, and administrative committee, and Helene Ndombe Sita, of the opposition Christian Democrats (CD),was appointed president of the social and cultural committee. ¶3. (SBU) The Assembly political groups also reflect the engagement of opposition politicians. The Assembly's internal rules require that each delegate be a member of a political group ("organes consultatifs"). Though the rules do not define their roles, the groups are expected to advance the common political ideologies and legislative agendas of their members. Twelve groups have been certified, with nine reflecting majority AMP alignment and three representing members of the opposition. ¶4. (SBU) The opposition is also well represented in the two special commissions formed to date, including the one currently investigating the border dispute with Angola in Bandundu province. The head of that commission is Roger Lumbala, a member of RCD-N (ref B). ¶5. (SBU) Comment: National Assembly President Vital Kamerhe has reached out to those outside of his AMP majority, providing leadership roles to them -- even though not constitutionally bound to do so. Active opposition participation in the Assembly is a positive sign, especially in light of recent allegations (related to the conflict with Senator and former Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba) that the Kabila government has sought to exclude the opposition from the political scene. End comment. MEECE