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