RWANDA ON TALKS WITH CONGO, OBASANJO

C O N F I D E N T I A L KIGALI 000811


SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/20/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR RW
SUBJECT: RWANDA ON TALKS WITH CONGO, OBASANJO

Classified By: Ambassador W. Stuart Symington for Reasons 1.4 (b) (d)


1. (U) In a follow-up to talks held in Kinshasa October 31
- November 1, a DRC delegation led by Foreign Minister Alexis
Thambwe Mwamba visited Kigali November 14-15 to continue
discussions on events in eastern Congo, normalization of
relations, and next steps. Rwandan Foreign Minister Rosemary
Museminali led the GOR delegation in the talks (which
included a courtesy call on President Kagame). In a
communique read to the press by Great Lakes Special Envoy
Joseph Mutaboba on November 15 (copy emailed to AF/C and
AmEmbassy Kinshasa),the two sides:

-- expressed concern at the security and humanitarian crisis
in eastern DRC
-- agreed that the root causes of the problems are the
ex-FAR/Interahamwe (FDLR)
-- noted the importance of a political solution to the
conflict between the DRC and General Nkunda's CNDP
-- agreed that the two sides military experts would present
plans and strategies in two weeks
-- agreed to speed up the process of normalization of
diplomatic relations, using the Economic Community for the
Great Lakes (CEPGL) to assist
-- decided to meet again in two weeks time in Goma.


2. (C) In comments to us on November 20, Ambassador
Mutaboba noted what he termed a "new approach" by the DRC
side, saying the Congolese government now acknowledges it
cannot disarm armed groups in the Congo itself, and needs the
assistance of "friendly forces" to engage the FDLR. These
forces, said Mutaboba, would not include Rwandan military,
although Rwanda would certainly say "yes" if asked. However,
the proposal made in the Kinshasa talks on the assigning of
Rwandan intelligence officers to the FARDC was proceeding, he
said, with discussions now underway between the two
militaries on the exact modalities. As Rwandan officials
have said for some time, Mutaboba emphasized that cooperative
discussions and agreements on various points were positive
developments, but ultimately there needed to be action and
results.


3. (C) Mutaboba also spoke briefly on the visit of former
Nigerian President Obasanjo to Kigali and his meetings with
President Kagame and other officials. Obasanjo's pledge to
examine previous engagements and agreements was welcomed,
said Mutaboba, as well as Obasanjo's recognition that the
"root cause" of instability in eastern Congo was the
ex-FAR/Interahamwe/FDLR. Obasanjo brought the gravitas of a
former military leader and elected President to the
situation, he said, and he appeared to have the best of
intentions. However, said Mutaboba, action and
implementation were necessary.


4. (U) Text of Communique is as follows:

On 14th and 15th November 2008, the delegation of the
Republic of Rwanda and the Delegation of the Democratic
Republic of Congo (DRC) led respectively by the Ministers of
Foreign Affairs of Rwanda Honorable Rosemary MUSEMINALI and
of DRC, Honorable Alexis THAMBWE MWAMBA, met at SERENA Hotel
in Kigali. This was a follow up of a meeting held in
Kinshasa from the 31st October 2008 to the 1st November 2008
as well as contacts with the respective heads of state.
-- Both ministers expressed concern on the insecurity and
humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC and observed that the root
causes of these challenges are the ex-FAR/Interahamwe and
agreed to use all means possible to uproot it.
Agreed to use all means possible to uproot it.
-- Both Ministers called on all parties concerned to respect
the cease-fire and condemned some armed groups that are
impeding that distribution of humanitarian aid.
-- Both parties noted the importance of a political solution
to the problem between the DRC Government and the CNDP.
Rwanda agreed to make its contribution to the resolution of
the problem.
-- The delegations agreed to have their respective military
experts to provide a military plans and strategy to the two
teams in two weeks time.
-- Both parties agreed on speeding up the process of
normalization of diplomatic relations. It was also agreed
that CEPGL as a skeleton that will provide an opportunity for
augmenting the process of normalization of relations should
be supported.
-- The two Teams shall meet again in Goma in two weeks time.
The Minister of Foreign affairs of the Democratic Republic
of Congo and his delegation paid a courtesy call to H.E Paul
Kagame, the President of the Republic of Rwanda.
-- The meeting was held in a frank and cordial atmosphere.
KIGALI, 15th November 2008.

End text.


SYMINGTON