Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07KINSHASA637
2007-06-08 11:47:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:
KINSHASA'S PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY DEFEATS
how-toVZCZCXRO9789 PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHKI #0637 1591147 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 081147Z JUN 07 FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6274 INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
UNCLAS KINSHASA 000637
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM CG
SUBJECT: KINSHASA'S PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY DEFEATS
NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION AGAINST GOVERNOR
UNCLAS KINSHASA 000637
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM CG
SUBJECT: KINSHASA'S PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY DEFEATS
NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION AGAINST GOVERNOR
1. (U) Summary: Kinshasa's opposition-dominated provincial
assembly on June 6 defeated a motion of no-confidence brought
against the AMP governor, and subsequently adopted the
governor's proposed program of government. End summary.
2. (SBU) Kinshasa's provincial assembly on June 6 defeated a
no-confidence motion brought on May 30 by MLC-aligned
deputies against Andre Kimbuta, the AMP governor. The
motion, which some MLC leaders characterized as a response to
Kimbuta's heavy-handed style, would have required the
governor to resign had it passed. At the same session, the
assembly adapted Kimbuta's program of government for
Kinshasa, with an unrealistic $1.5 billion proposed budget.
(Note: The entire proposed national budget is $2.1 billion.
End note.)
3. (U) The assembly first attempted to bring the
no-confidence motion to a vote June 4 but failed to convene
the required quorum -- two-thirds of the members, or 32 of
the 48 total deputies. On June 6, with only 27 deputies in
attendance, the assembly again considered the motion since a
provision in the assembly's internal rules permitted the
assembly to conduct the vote with a simple majority. Of
those present, 25 voted to reject the motion, and two
abstained. Almost all of the MLC and UpN-aligned deputies
boycotted the June 6 proceedings.
4. (U) At least one press report on June 4 claimed that two
MLC deputies had been "sequestered" to prevent them from
voting in favor of the no-confidence motion. Rumors of
political pressure, arrest threats, and payoffs to MLC
deputies to secure their absence circulated before the June 6
vote. Neither provincial assembly officers nor MONUC
officials investigating the story could confirm that any such
arrests or detentions had occurred.
5. (SBU) Comment: By boycotting the session, the MLC
deputies not only lost the motion and failed to unseat the
governor, they also acquiesced to the passage of Kimbuta's
program. Media commentary decrying the uselessness of "the
politics of the empty chair" indicate that some citizens are
becoming impatient with the opposition's tendency to boycott
rather than engage in constructive political dialogue. End
comment.
MEECE
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM CG
SUBJECT: KINSHASA'S PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY DEFEATS
NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION AGAINST GOVERNOR
1. (U) Summary: Kinshasa's opposition-dominated provincial
assembly on June 6 defeated a motion of no-confidence brought
against the AMP governor, and subsequently adopted the
governor's proposed program of government. End summary.
2. (SBU) Kinshasa's provincial assembly on June 6 defeated a
no-confidence motion brought on May 30 by MLC-aligned
deputies against Andre Kimbuta, the AMP governor. The
motion, which some MLC leaders characterized as a response to
Kimbuta's heavy-handed style, would have required the
governor to resign had it passed. At the same session, the
assembly adapted Kimbuta's program of government for
Kinshasa, with an unrealistic $1.5 billion proposed budget.
(Note: The entire proposed national budget is $2.1 billion.
End note.)
3. (U) The assembly first attempted to bring the
no-confidence motion to a vote June 4 but failed to convene
the required quorum -- two-thirds of the members, or 32 of
the 48 total deputies. On June 6, with only 27 deputies in
attendance, the assembly again considered the motion since a
provision in the assembly's internal rules permitted the
assembly to conduct the vote with a simple majority. Of
those present, 25 voted to reject the motion, and two
abstained. Almost all of the MLC and UpN-aligned deputies
boycotted the June 6 proceedings.
4. (U) At least one press report on June 4 claimed that two
MLC deputies had been "sequestered" to prevent them from
voting in favor of the no-confidence motion. Rumors of
political pressure, arrest threats, and payoffs to MLC
deputies to secure their absence circulated before the June 6
vote. Neither provincial assembly officers nor MONUC
officials investigating the story could confirm that any such
arrests or detentions had occurred.
5. (SBU) Comment: By boycotting the session, the MLC
deputies not only lost the motion and failed to unseat the
governor, they also acquiesced to the passage of Kimbuta's
program. Media commentary decrying the uselessness of "the
politics of the empty chair" indicate that some citizens are
becoming impatient with the opposition's tendency to boycott
rather than engage in constructive political dialogue. End
comment.
MEECE