Amani Program Steering Committee meets 23

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 KINSHASA 000799 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS KPKO PHUM PREF CG SUBJECT: Amani Program Steering Committee meets 23 September in Bukavu to discuss implemen- tation of peace agreement in South Kivu ¶1. (U) The Amani Steering Group, tasked with monitoring progress on the implementation of the Goma agreements of January, 2008 (the "Actes d'Engagement") met September 23 in Bukavu, capital of the province of South Kivu. The selection of Bukavu follows a decision by Denis Kalume, Interior Minister and Steering Group chairman, to rotate meetings between North Kivu capital Goma, Bukavu and Kinshasa. In stark contrast to the last SC meeting in Goma and to other recent meetings in Goma involving MONUC, the GDRC and the international facilitation, the Amani Process in South Kivu is a picture of health. Representatives of armed groups spoke to express their desire to lay down arms definitively and return to civilian life. Local citizens who volunteered to help with implementing Amani spoke of their efforts in providing humanitarian relief, resettlement, etc. Almost no tensions between central and provincial government leaders, international facilitation, NGOs, private citizens participating in the process were observed. ¶2. (U) The meeting was termed an "enlarged Steering Committee" because it included participation by MONUC and the international facilitation, including multilateral bodies (the African Union and the European Union),as well as representatives of the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, South Africa and the United States. Of these, only the EU and the U.S. were invited to sit on the dais with the chair. Also at the dais were the governor of South Kivu, Louis Leonce Muderwa; the central government's Amani Process representative, General Didier Etumba; Amani Process Coordinator, Fr. Apollinaire Malu-Malu; and the Special Representative of the Secretary General, Alan Doss. ¶3. (U) A press conference was held September 24 at which the Chair read the official communique. An unofficial translation of the communique is at para. 5 below, while the original French text is at para. 6. Following the reading of the communique persons on the dais took questions from the press. One journalist asked the U.S. rep (Charge Brock) why public opinion in the Congo believed that the U.S. supported the CNDP over the Government. Brock replied that he was not sure this was indeed the view of most Congolese citizens. He then explained that the U.S. had worked hard to facilitate a process leading to peace in the Kivus and had been present before the Goma accords, helped to negotiate and then signed the Nairobi Communique last year, took part actively in the Goma peace conference, and coordinated closely with the Government in all actions relating to the peace process, even when meeting with the CNDP. Interior Minister Kalume interrupted to say that the CNDP itself did not agree with the view that the U.S. was on the side of the CNDP as it had recently accused Tim Shortley of "no longer working for the U.S. but instead for the GDRC." ¶4. (SBU) Comment: The Amani Process in South Kivu, which is governed by its own agreement ("Acte d'Engagement") separate from the North Kivu agreement, is clearly faring better than the corresponding process in its sister province to the north. The decision to sign two separate agreements was a wise one as it allows the government and its interlocutors to proceed at different speeds in the two provinces. A major difference between the two is the attitude of South Kivusian Tutsis and their armed group, the FRF, which, unlike the CNDP has participated fully in meetings under the aegis of the process. Violence, however, and particularly gender-based violence against women, continues to be a significant problem in South Kivu. We also wonder if true peace in the more southern of the two provinces is possible absent peace in North Kivu. The two are closely linked, historically, by geography, and through the same ethnic groups living on both sides of the border. End comment. ¶5. (U) Following is unofficial English translation of the official communique regarding the September 23 meeting of the Amani Steering Committee in Bukavu. Begin unofficial translation Communique The fourth meeting of the Steering Committee of the Amani Program was held 23 September, 2008 in Bukavu under the chairmanship of the Minister of State for Interior, Decentralization and Security, enlarged to include the international facilitation, headed by Mr. Alan Doss, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations. The agenda included three items, to wit: (1) The evaluation of resolutions, recommendations and actions recommended at the last Steering Committee; KINSHASA 00000799 002.2 OF 004 (2) The evaluation of the latest decisions related to the consolidation of the cease-fire and to disengagement in the province of North Kivu; (3) Presentation of the South Kivu disengagement plan. After discussions and deliberations, the Steering Committee noted that notwithstanding some difficulties, several important advances were made in the process, particularly in the theoretical preparation of disengagement and in the regrouping of armed groups. However, without a cease-fire and true disengagement, the AMANI program risks being compromised. However, in South Kivu: -- The Steering Committee commended the ad hoc group for peace and security (CTMPS -- Technical Mixed Commission for Peace and Security) for finalizing its disengagement plan in a collegial, harmonious fashion and within the prescribed deadline. The armed groups of South Kivu, signatories of the agreements read before the Steering Committee a statement in which they pledged to move quickly towards disengagement and to adopt measures to facilitate the restoration of state authority and the return of internally displaced persons caused by war, and of refugees. -- It has also welcomed the actions of the Provincial Government of South Kivu for the removal of road barriers and the restoration of the freedom of movement of persons and goods. Regarding North Kivu, the steering committee: -- Deplored the resumption of hostilities since August 28, as well as the continuous absence of the CNDP at the working sessions of the CTMPS and its subcommittees. -- The Committee took note of the Global Plan of disengagement for North Kivu prepared by MONUC, which has been accepted by the Governments and the armed groups, except the CNDP, for which an answer is still being awaited. -- Urges le CNDP to join the AMANI process and to cooperate fully in the implementation of the plan of separation and disengagement submitted by MONUC and accepted by the Government of the Republic. The Steering Committee welcomed the efforts by Government to finance the disengagement plan and the contributions promised by development partners to support the process. It also noted the need to further mobilize resources in accordance with the extension of the Amani program until 3 August 2009. The Steering Committee encourages and supports efforts by the Government within the framework of the implementation of Joint Communique of Nairobi and approves the idea of organizing an exploratory visit to Rwanda with the involvement of the international community. As outcomes of the meeting, the Steering Committee decided: -- The strict observance of the cease-fire by all parties, the rapid creation of zones of separation and respect of the timetable provided for in the new disengagement plan submitted by MONUC; -- Establishment of a Joint Steering Team of the process of consolidation and the acceleration of the establishment of processing centers ("centres de regroupement"),providing same with all the necessary logistical support. -- Affirmation of the principle of "one man, one weapon" to be eligible for the program of demobilization and reinsertion. -- Rapid demilitarization in South-Kivu of the zones defined as from Tulambo a Rurambo, from Rurambo to Munanira, from Munanira to Rugezi, and from Rugezi a Tulambo. -- The accelerated deployment of the Congolese National Police, of courts and of civil servants from outside the region; -- Referral to the Minister of Justice and the auditor general in order to quickly resolve ongoing judicial procedures, to increase the numbers of military magistrates, and to examine the lists of persons held by armed groups; -- Support the humanitarian and social sub-committee for the taking KINSHASA 00000799 003 OF 004 of concrete actions in the areas of: -- the fight against sexual violence; -- the liberation of child soldiers; -- the enumeration of and assistance to internally displaced persons; -- the preparation of the return of refugees and displaced persons; -- the rehabilitation of school buildings and grounds; -- the undertaking of preparations for the next year's crops. -- Making safe and restoring the authority of the state in the area defined as South Kivu extending from Numbi to Zirhalo, Zirhalo to Bushaku, from Bushaku and from Bushaku to Numbi. Signed at Bukavu, on 23 September 2008 Denis Kalume Numbi, Minister of State and Chairman of the Amani Steering Committee End unofficial translation of communique ¶6. (U) Following is the original French text of the communique. Begin original text: COMMUNIQUE IL S'EST TENU EN DATE DU 23 SEPTEMBRE 2008 A BUKAVU SOUS LA PRESIDENCE DU MINISTRE D'ETAT EN CHARGE DE L'LNTERLEUR, DECENTRALISATION ET SECURITE LA QUATRLEME REUNION DU COMITE DE PILOTAGE DU PROGRAMME AMANI ELARGI A LA FACILITATION INTERNATIONALE CONDUITE PAR MONSLEUR ALAN DOSS, REPRESENTANT SPECIAL DU SECRETAIRE GENERAL DES NATIONS UNLES. L'ORDRE DU JOUR COMPORTAIT 3 POINTS A SAVOIR: (1) EVALUATION DES RESOLUTIONS, RECOMMANDATIONS ET ACTIONS PRECONISEES AU DERNLER COMITE DE PILOTAGE (2) EVALUATION DES DERNLERES DECISIONS LIEES A LA CONSOLIDATION DU CESSEZ-LE-FEU ET AU DESENGAGEMENT DANS LA PROVINCE DU NORD-KIVU. (3) PRESENTATION DU PLAN DE DESENGAGEMENT DU SUD KIVU APRES ECHANGES ET DELIBERATIONS, LE COMITE DE PILOTAGE A CONSTATE QUE NONOBSTANT QUELQUES DIFFICULTES, PLUSLEURS AVANCEES IMPORTANTES ONT ETE ENREGISTREES DANS LE PROCESSUS NOTAMMENT DANS LA PREPARATION THEORIQUE DU PROCESSUS DE DESENGAGEMENT ET DE REGROUPEMENT DES GROUPES ARMES. CEPENDANT, SANS UN CESSEZ-LE-FEU ET UN DESENGAGEMENT VERITABLE, LE PROGRAMME AMANI RISQUE D'ETRE COMPROMIS. CEPENDANT, POUR LE SUD KIVU: -- LE COMITE DE PILOTAGE A FELICITE LE GROUPE AD HOC DE LA CTMPS POUR AVOIR FINALISE LEUR PLAN DE DESENGAGEMENT D'UNE MANLERE CONSENSUELLE, HARMONLEUSE ET DANS LE DELAI PREVU. LES GROUPES ARMES DU SUD KIVU, SIGNATAIRES DES ACTES D'ENGAGEMENT, ONT LU DEVANT LE COMITE DE PILOTAGE UNE DECLARATION DANS LAQUELLE ILS SE SONT ENGAGES A PASSER RAPIDEMENT AU DESENGAGEMENT ET AUX ACTIONS VISANT A FACILITER LA RESTAURATION DE L'AUTORITE DE L'ETAT AINSI QUE LE RETOUR DES DEPLACES DE GUERRE INTERNES ET DES REFUGLES; -- IL A EGALEMENT SALUE LES ACTIONS DU GOUVERNEMENT PROVINCIAL DU SUD-KIVU POUR LA LEVEE DES BARRIERES ROUTIERES ET LE RETABLISSEMENT DE LA LIBERTE DE CIRCULATION DES PERSONNES ET DES BLENS. EN CE QUI CONCERNE LE NORD-KIVU, LE COMITE DE PILOTAGE A: -- DEPLORE LA REPRISE DES HOSTILITES DEPUIS LE 28 AOUT, AINSI QUE L'ABSENCE CONTINUE DU CNDP AUX TRAVAUX DE LA CTMPS ET DE SES SOUS-COMMISSIONS. -- LE COMITE A PRIS ACTE DU PLAN GLOBAL DE DESENGAGEMENT POUR LE NORD-KIVU ELABORE PAR LA MONUC ET QUI A ETE ACCEPTE PAR LE GOUVERNEMENT ET LES GROUPES ARMES, SAUF PAR LE CNDP DONT ON ATTEND ENCORE LA REPONSE. -- EXHORTE LE CNDP A REJOINDRE LE PROCESSUS AMANI ET A COLLABORER PLEINEMENT A I'APPLICATION DU PLAN DE SEPARATION ET DE DESENGAGEMENT PRESENTE PAR LA MONUC ET ACCEPTE PAR LE GOUVERNEMENT DE LA REPUBLIQUE. LE COMITE DE PILOTAGE A SALUE LES EFFORTS FOURNIS PAR LE KINSHASA 00000799 004 OF 004 GOUVERNEMENT DANS LE FINANCEMENT DU PLAN DE DESENGAGEMENT AINSI QUE LES CONTRIBUTIONS PROMISES PAR LES PARTENAIRES AU DEVELOPPEMENT POUR APPUYER LE PROCESSUS. IL A AUSSI NOTE LA NECESSITE DE MOBILISER ENCORE LES MOYENS CONFORMEMENT A LA PROLONGATION DU PROGRAMME AMANI JUSQU'AU 3 AOUT 2009. LE COMITE DE PILOTAGE ENCOURAGE ET APPUI LES EFFORTS ENTREPRIS PAR LE GOUVERNEMENT DANS LE CADRE DE LA MISE EN OEUVRE DU COMMUNIQUE CONJOINT DE NAIROBI ET APPROUVE I'IDEE D'ORGANISER UNE VISITE EXPLORATOIRE AU RWANDA AVEC LA PARTICIPATION DE LA COMMUNAUTE INTERNATIONALE. A I'ISSUE DE CETTE RENCONTRE, LE COMITE DE PILOTAGE A DECIDE CE QUI SUIT: -- STRICTE OBSERVATION DU CESSEZ-LE-FEU PAR TOUS LES PROTAGONISTES, CREATION RAPIDE DES ZONES DE SEPARATION ET LE RESPECT DU CALENDRLER ARRETE PAR LE NOUVEAU PLAN DE DESENGAGEMENT PRESENTE PAR LA MONUC; -- CONSTITUTION D'UNE EQUIPE MIXTE DE PILOTAGE DU PROCESSUS DE REGROUPEMENT ET ACCELERATION DE LA MISE EN PLACE DES CENTRES DE REGROUPEMENT EN Y DISPONIBILISANT TOUTE LA LOGISTIQUE NECESSAIRE. -- AFFIRMATION DU PRINCIPE D'UN HOMME UNE ARME POUR ETRE ELIGIBLE AU PROGRAMME DE DEMOBILISATION ET REINSERTION. -- DEMILITARISATION RAPIDE DE LA ZONE DEFINLE DANS LE SUD-KIVU ALLANT DE TULAMBO A RURAMBO, DE RURAMBO A MUNANIRA, DE MUNANIRA A RUGEZI ET DE RUGEZI A TULAMBO L'ACCELERATION DU DEPLOLEMENT DE LA POLICE NATIONALE CONGOLAISE, DE LA JUSTICE ET DE L'ADMINISTRATION CIVILE DES NON ORIGINAIRES; -- SAISINE DU MINISTRE DE LA JUSTICE ET L'AUDITEUR GENERAL AFIN DE FAIRE ABOUTIR RAPIDEMENT LES PROCEDURES JUDICIAIRES EN COURS, DE RENFORCER DES EFFECTIFS DES MAGISTRATS MILITAIRES, ET DE I'EXAMEN DES LISTES DES PERSONNES DETENUES SOUMISES PAR LES GROUPES ARMES; -- APPUI A LA SOUS COMMISSION HUMANITAIRE ET SOCIALE POUR LA CONCRETISATION DES ACTIONS ENTREPRISES DANS LES DOMAINES DE: -- LA LUTTE CONTRE LES VIOLENCES SEXUELLES; -- LA LIBERATION DES ENFANTS SOLDATS; -- LE DENOMBREMENT ET ASSISTANCE AUX DEPLACES; -- LA PREPARATION DU RETOUR DES REFUGLES ET DES DEPLACES; -- REHABILITATION DES INFRASTRUCTURES SCOLAIRES; -- PREPARATION DE LA PROCHAINE CAMPAGNE AGRICOLE -- SECURISATION ET RESTAURATION DE I'AUTORITE DE L'ETAT DANS LA ZONE DEFINLE DANS LE SUD-KIVU ALLANT DE NUMBI A ZIRHALO, DE ZIRHALO A BUSHAKU ET BUSHAKU A NUMBI. FAIT A BUKAVU, LE 23 SEPTEMBRE 2008 DENIS KALUME NUMBI MINISTRE D'ETAT PRESIDENT DU COMITE DE PILOTAGE DU PROGRAMME AMANI End original text of communique BROCK