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