(C) SOUTH AFRICA CONCERNED ABOUT CNDD-FDD SPLIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRETORIA 000827 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/05/2017 TAGS: PREL BY SF SUBJECT: (C) SOUTH AFRICA CONCERNED ABOUT CNDD-FDD SPLIT REF: A. STATE 22207 ¶B. KIGALI 194 ¶C. DAR ES SALAAM 265 ¶D. PRETORIA 254 Classified By: Political Counselor Raymond Brown. Reasons 1.4(b) and ( d). ¶1. (C) PolOff delivered Ref A demarche to Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Deputy Director Rasheeda Adam March 5. Adam said that South Africa is "concerned" about tensions within the ruling CNDD-FDD party, as well as the increase in state-sponsored violence in Burundi. The South African Embassy is Bujumbura is developing a strategy to engage former party leader Hussein Radjabu, whom she believes retains influence in the military and thus remains a potential source of instability. Adam said that South Africa hopes to play a role with Radjabu similar to its engagement with defeated Ugandan presidential candidate Kiiza Besigye, whom the South Africa helped convince to accept the electoral results and not pursue violence. ¶2. (C) Adam noted that the role of Radjabu is sensitive for South Africa since Radjabu sought temporary refuge -- but not asylum, she emphasized -- at the South African Embassy in January (Ref D). This has created an incorrect perception among some in Burundi that South Africa is biased in favor of Radjabu. Adam emphasized that South Africa remains neutral on internal CNDD-FDD party matters. The SAG strategy remains focused on stability and creating political space for all parties. ¶3. (C) On the FNL peace process, Adam was more optimistic. She noted that the Facilitator, Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula, has traveled to Burundi twice in recent weeks to oversee the FNL participation in the Joint Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JVMM). South Africa has opened its Facilitation Office in Bujumbura, separate from the Embassy, to oversee the peace process. Cabinet approved February 21 the deployment of VIP protectors to guard the returning FNL leadership, authorizing a total SAG deployment of 1100 troops to serve in the African Union Special Task Force. (NOTE: Dutch and Belgian diplomats told PolOff March 5 that the United Kingdom, Belgium, France, and the Netherlands have agreed to fund the costs associated with the South African facilitation office and deployment of VIP protectors, totaling approximately Euro 5-6 million for six months. END NOTE.) BOST