DRC and Rwanda Agree on Plan to Combat the FDLR

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 001081

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: DRC and Rwanda Agree on Plan to Combat the FDLR

Ref: Kinshasa 1002

Combating the FDLR and GDRC-GOR Diplomatic Relations
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1. (SBU) Following two days of meetings in Goma December 4-5, DRC
Foreign Minister Alexis Thambwe Mwamba and Rwandan Foreign Minister
Rosemary Museminali issued a Joint Communiqu (full text at
paragraph 5) in which both sides announced a joint "comprehensive
operational plan" against the FDLR. The respective Chiefs of
Defense Staff reportedly developed the plan during preparatory
meetings in Gisenyi. There are not yet any details of the plan, so
it is unclear what the timeline for implementation is. A MONUC
source told us that the GDRC and GOR will only share the paper with
the international facilitation after several days.


2. (SBU) The communiqu also notes progress by both countries to
re-establish diplomatic relations to intensify regional economic
cooperation through the Economic Community of Great Lakes' Countries
(CEPGL). The GDRC committed to reopen its embassy in Kigali, as
well as embassies in Kampala and Bujumbura, in the first trimester
of 2009. Rwanda agreed to the "immediate commencement of diplomatic
relations" with the DRC.


FDLR Letter to Obasanjo
--------------


3. (SBU) On December 4, FDLR President Ignace Murwanashyaka sent
Special Envoy Olesugun Obasanjo a letter, requesting a political
dialogue with the GOR. Murwanashyaka claimed that the FDLR was not
the cause of regional instability, rather Rwanda's interference in
neighboring countries was the primary source. Murwanashyaka warned
that increasing military pressure on the FDLR would only aggravate
the situation, possibly increasing "the suffering of innocent
civilians and increasing further instability in the region."

Comment
--------------


4. (SBU) DRC officials have been working behind the scenes for
several weeks to improve relations with Kigali (reftel). The "4 X 4
process," which includes key decision makers on both sides, has
seemingly made great strides since its first meeting in Kinshasa in
late October. Remarkably, progress has been achieved without any
foreign involvement in the process, perhaps a sign that the two
countries can solve contentious bilateral problems through their own
hard work on the diplomatic front. End Comment.


5. (SBU) Begin Text of Joint Communiqu:


1. On December 4-5, 2008, the delegation of the
Democratic Republic of Congo and delegation of the
Republic of Rwanda, led respectively by the
Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the DRC, Minister
Alexis Thambwe Mwamba, and of Rwanda, Minister
Rosemary Museminali, met at Cap Kivu Hotel in Goma.


2. This meeting was a follow up of bilateral meetings held in
Kinshasa from October 28 to November 1, 2008 and in Kigali November
14-15, 2008 between the two governments.


3. The Head of DRC delegation welcomed and thanked the Rwandan
delegation for their participation in this meeting; that shows the
importance they attach to the peace and stability of the region and
the confidence building between the two countries. On her side, the
head of the Rwandan delegation Minister Rosemary Museminali
expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and the hospitality
accorded to her and her delegation.


4. The DRC delegation briefed their counterparts on the general
security situation in eastern DRC, and the two delegations exchanged
ideas on issues of common interest.


5. A comprehensive operational plan against ex-FAR/Interahamwe was
presented jointly by FARDC and RDF.


6. Both sides agreed on the operational plan against
ex-FAR/Interahamwe prepared jointly by officers from the FARDC and
RDF and called for its implementation.


7. The meeting noted the presentation by MONUC on how the
humanitarian corridors are open and the effective cease-fire has
helped in accessing IDPs.


8. The two delegations appreciated the progress towards the

KINSHASA 00001081 002 OF 002


normalization of bilateral diplomatic relations and regional
economic cooperation. Rwanda reaffirmed its commitment to the
earlier immediate commencement of diplomatic representations. The
DRC committed to reopen Embassies with Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi in
the first quarter of 2009. The DRC will appoint their four
representatives of whom three, except the Deputy Executive
Secretary, will be announced on December 12, 2008 during the CEPGL
meeting in Bujumbura to complete the administrative organ of CEPGL.


9. The DRC delegation informed the meeting that on December 8, 2008
in Nairobi-Kenya there will be a meeting between CNDP and DRC
representatives under the auspices of the UN/AU facilitators to
formalize the ceasefire and discuss the roadmap to peace in the
eastern DRC.

10.The two delegations also agreed that the governors
of North Kivu (DRC) and Western province (Rwanda)
meet regularly to discuss the prevailing situation
in their respective provinces and issues of common
interests.

11.The meeting appreciated the role of the two
facilitators, President Obasanjo and President
Mkapa, in the quest for a solution to the crisis in
the eastern DRC.

12.The meeting was held in a frank, cordial and
fraternal atmosphere. The next meeting will be
convened by Rwanda at a time to be mutually agreed
upon.

Done at Goma, on December 5, 2008

For DRC Delegation
Minister Alexis Thambwe Mwamba


For Rwandan Delegation
Minister Rosemary Museminali

End Text of Joint Communiqu

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