KABILA MAKES LOCAL GOVERNMENT APPOINTMENTS

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000832 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM CG SUBJECT: KABILA MAKES LOCAL GOVERNMENT APPOINTMENTS ¶1. (U) President Joseph Kabila signed three ordinances September 24 appointing nearly three hundred individuals to sub-provincial government positions. The list included both new political appointees and incumbents, as well as non-partisan civil servants at the district commissioner, mayor and deputy mayor levels, as well as burgomasters and deputy burgomasters. The Senate is considering legislation, which will define the status of these positions in the context of the DRC's decentralization process. ¶2. (U) The Ministry of Interior, Decentralization, and Security claimed the move will improve government administration. The Independent Electoral Commission echoed the Interior Ministry, hailing the appointments as a step towards improving the functioning of the DRC state. ¶3. (SBU) In February 2008, the Presidency forced hundreds of magistrates to retire, replacing them with successors who were close to the government. Critics characterized the appointments as an attempt to stack the system with Kabila supporters before the implementation of a new oversight body for the administration and judiciary, the Council of Magistrates (the CSM - "Conseil superieur de la magistrature" in French). Parliament established the CSM in July 2008, but is awaiting implementing action by the Ministry of Justice. ¶4. (SBU) Comment: The recent appointments reflect the same level of political maneuvering as the February 2008 decision to handpick magistrates. The appointments establish pro-government incumbents in positions that will likely be contested in the 2009 local elections. At the same time, if the GDRC is uncertain whether it will be able to hold local elections in 2009, these appointments may be the government's attempt to improve stability at local government levels. Given the absence of a functioning state authority in most parts of the country, the DRC could indeed benefit from a more stable and representative local government. End Comment. BROCK