International facilitation dinner with Malu Malu

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000425 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS KPKO CG BE SUBJECT: International facilitation dinner with Malu Malu ¶1. (U) Summary: International Facilitation met with Abbe Appolinaire Malu Malu April 30 in Bukavu to discuss the CNDP, the Amani process and armed groups operating in the Kivus. Malu Malu relayed CNDP concerns about the ICC arrest warrant for Bosco Ntaganda and the location of brassage centers. He noted the strategic positioning of CNDP forces and the commitment to the Amani process by the Kabila government. He warned of the danger posed by an unchecked FDLR, but that the particular South Kivu armed groups which are important are the Yakutumba Group, FRF, Mudundu 40, and PARECO/SK. End summary. ¶2. (U) The International Facilitation met with Amani commission national coordinator Abbe Appolinaire Malu Malu April 30 over dinner in Bukavu. The group discussed CNDP concerns, GDRC commitment to the Amani process, the future of the FDLR, and South Kivu armed groups and leaders. USAID Goma liaison officer, along with MONUC Bukavu Head of Office Zubaida Rasul, Belgian Consul General in Bukavu Hughes Chantry, and UK Goma officer Tom Pravda represented the International Facilitation. ¶3. (U) Malu Malu said the CNDP contacted him April 28, concerned over the vulnerability the CNDP leadership feels after the ICC issued the arrest warrant for former Ituri militia leader and present CNDP Chief of Staff Bosco Ntaganda. Malu Malu suggested the indictment be frozen, to which Chantry agreed in principle. CNDP leadership will meet May 4-5 to discuss the Ntaganda warrant. Malu Malu said that brassage outside the Kivus is unacceptable to CNDP, whereas President Kabila will not consider CNDP brassage based in the Kivus. Malu Malu cited the lack of CNDP engagement with the GDRC as evidence of the low priority the return of Tutsi refugees to the Kivus is for CNDP. ¶4. (U) Malu Malu said current CNDP military force positioning provides a southern exit at Minova and an eastern exit at Bunagana. He said that if they were to capture an airport, naming as examples those in Goma, Beni, Bukavu, or Walikali, CNDP long term strategic viability would improve. CNDP is willing to cede Kimoka due to its limited strategic importance. ¶5. (U) Malu Malu affirmed the commitment of President Kabila and Prime Minister Gizenga to the Amani process. He said the challenge is not political but financial and noted that the Ministers of Budget and Finance are working to make funds available for the commission. ¶6. (U) Malu Malu said that the FDLR will grow stronger if left unchecked. He stated they will resist DDRRR on the grounds that participation will forfeit the FDLR objective of toppling the Rwandan government and retaking control of Rwanda. ¶7. (U) Malu Malu labeled the Yakutumba Group, FRF, Mudundu 40, and PARECO/SK as the armed groups in South Kivu which are most important, citing the following reasons: Yakutumba due to its large size and capability of causing trouble; FRF because of its clear political agenda; Mudundu 40 because they are mercenaries and recruiters for the CNDP; and PARECO/SK, since it is a new group with an unknown agenda. Malu Malu identified Vita Kitambala of the Kasindien Mai Mai as a criminal for having attacked a house in Butembo in exchange for one million USD. He was released from jail to join the Amani process. He stated that the FRF and CNDP did not voice objections to the amount provided to them for the "sensitization" campaign (3000 USD),but that unnamed Mai Mai groups did complain about the amount. ¶8. (SBU) Comment: It remains to be seen if the freezing of the Ntaganda warrant is politically possible, despite the support for doing so from Malu Malu and the Belgian Consul. Malu Malu placed a positive spin on the poor prospects for the Congolese funding of the Amani process. End comment. BROCK