MASHAKO MISSION UNTIES PARECO KNOT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000439 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS KPKO CG BE SUBJECT: MASHAKO MISSION UNTIES PARECO KNOT ¶1. (SBU) Summary: After three days of pressure from officials and facilitators of the Amani Program, PARECO-FAP leaders agreed on a list of members from the Mugabo and LaFontaine factions who would jointly represent their movement in the Goma Process. Amani Humanitarian Coordinator Professor Mashako Mamba ("le Professeur") and North Kivu Provincial Assembly member Robert Seninga ("l'Honorable") returned to Goma the night of May 7 from Rutshuru Territory, where they had contact with CNDP and PARECO-FAP military representatives. CNDP made no commitments to move ahead with "sensitization," (awareness-raising efforts) but PARECO-FAP political bosses Museveni Sendugu and Firmin Mathe signed the joint representation list on May 9, and the movement prepared to begin sensitization activities. ¶2. (SBU) All the same, the continuing feud between Mugabo and Laurent Nkunda leaves Prof. Mashako discouraged. Even if both movements undertake sensitization, combatants fear FDLR retaliation for laying down arms. The Professor doubts that the two strongmen will do much to dispel those fears, or the ingrained Tutsi-Hutu enmity, without "guarantees" of their own security from peace-keeping forces. End summary. Chasing Down the Problem -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Prof. Mashako and the Honorable Seninga made the dusty trip to Kalengera, Rumangalo and Rubare in Rutshuru Territory to sort out the political differences that short circuited a conciliatory meeting of PARECO-FAP's military leaders, Mugabo and LaFontaine, planned for May 9 in Masisi. Yet the real problem was not between the leaders, who in fact respect one another, are in permanent contact, and have similar views of what the movement should do. Rather, differences between political lieutenants Museveni and Mathe over which delegates of the movement's two wings will fill jobs at the provincial level held up the planned unification meeting. Mashako told Facilitation members who waited up for him in Goma on Thursday night that Museveni and Mathe now agreed to create an acceptable list in two days. ¶4. (SBU) In fact, with pressure from the Facilitation, Museveni and Mathe delivered the very next day, preparing and signing the list as gingerly as they had signed the Acte d'Engagement itself. Since the list was essentially a political football, the Facilitation pointed out that there is no need for an immediate Mugabo-LaFontaine meeting, or for any media coverage that would emphasize PARECO-FAP's internal disputes rather than their solution. Saving "Sensitization" -------------- ¶5. (SBU) In telephone conversations this week, Mugabo told Mashako that he wants to participate fully in "sensitization," and that this is one reason he does not want to separate from LaFontaine. PARECO-FAP is ready to begin working at once, and pounced on MONUC and Facilitation well-wishers at the signing ceremony to mobilize transportation for the teams now waiting to fan out across North Kivu. Like other groups, PARECO-FAP must appeal such needs to he JTCPS, which will reconvene late in the week of May 12. Mashako is convinced that problems such as transportation and the groups' hesitation to assemble openly with the population will delay progress in sensitization by at least a month, to say nothing of regrouping and brassage. Mashako Complains -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Mashako said he was appalled at the belligerence of CNDP personnel in Rugari on May 7; armed members surrounded the office where they met as though it was a battle zone. Houses in CNDP territory are empty, he reported, and new IDP's are arriving at camps in Rutshuru every day. Mashako heard that other groups are limiting their teams to the lake shore and to a few relatively peaceful areas in Rutshuru Territory. CNDP has not yet begun "sensitization" and the Professor believes that Amani and the Facilitation must soon tell Nkunda that he needs to meet with Mugabo and be part of the solution to the humanitarian and political crisis. Further, Mashako criticized the GDRC for failing to push the Amani Program energetically. ¶7. (SBU) Comment: Mashako's mission, and especially the Honorable Seninga's savvy pressuring of Museveni and Mathe, created a milestone moment for the Goma process by repositioning one of its most important members into a positive stance. While Museveni and Mathe were competent to engage their movement in forward motion, a meeting between Mugabo and LaFontaine in the near future could raise Amani's profile and generate some rare public esteem for PARECO-FAP. KINSHASA 00000439 002 OF 002 Not incidentally, such a meeting would push Laurent Nkumba out of the spotlight he has hogged for the past several months, and perhaps encourage him to follow old rivals down new paths. End comment. BROCK