MANIEMA PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY ELECTS NATIONAL

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000091 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM CG ELECTIONS SUBJECT: MANIEMA PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY ELECTS NATIONAL SENATORS REF: KINSHASA 66 ¶1. (U) Maniema provincial assembly members selected the province's four national Senators January 19. All are well-known public figures. Three served in either the Transitional Government or under Mobutu. ¶2. (SBU) Those elected were: Joseph Kilomo (ADECO),Delphin Kapaya Ohelo (Independent),Thekkis Mulaila (PPRD),and Aubin Ngongo (Independent). Kapaya Ohelo and Mulaila are allied with Kabila's AMP coalition. While Kilomo's ADECO party is officially allied with Bemba's Union for the Nation (UfN), National Assembly Deputy Justin Kalumba told us that Kilomo has allied himself with AMP. The fourth senator, Ngongo, was a parliamentarian in the Mobutist era and is allied with the UfN camp. ¶3. (SBU) Several press accounts report unsuccessful candidates demanding return of payments they made to Maniema provincial deputies. At least one National Assembly Deputy has publicly condemned corruption in the Maniema elections. ¶4. (U) Biographical information: Joseph Kilomo Sankungu (ADECO) Kilomo, 62, is a retired provincial and national director of the Central Bank. He ran unsuccessfully for the National Assembly as a member of the CIDES party. Born June 18, 1944. Delphin Kapaya Ohelo Pene Lombendja (Independent) Kapaya Ohelo, 50, an attorney specializing in mining issues, is close to Transitional Government Minister of Plan Alexis Thambwe. He was a member of the Transitional National Assembly. Born September 17, 1956. Thekkis Mulaila Thengabandzuh (PPRD) Mulaila, 46, is an adviser to current Interior Minister General Dennis Kalume and worked with him at the Ministry of Plan. He was a member of the Poverty Reduction Strategic Technical Committee and authored the chapter on energy in its 2004 report. Born July 2, 1960. Aubin Ngongo Luwowo (Independent) Ngongo, 53, had a career as a journalist with Zaire Television and Radio before being elected to the legislature under Mobutu. He served as Minister of Sports and Minister of Information and Press in the government of Faustin Birindwa and was a delegate to the National Sovereign Conference. Born December 12, 1953. MEECE