Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KIGALI47
2009-01-27 14:29:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kigali
Cable title:
CONGOLESE REFUGEES DEMONSTRATE AGAINST ARREST OF
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C O N F I D E N T I A L KIGALI 000047
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV PREF PHUM RW
SUBJECT: CONGOLESE REFUGEES DEMONSTRATE AGAINST ARREST OF
LAURENT NKUNDA
Classified By: Ambassador Symington, reason 1.4 (B) and (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L KIGALI 000047
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV PREF PHUM RW
SUBJECT: CONGOLESE REFUGEES DEMONSTRATE AGAINST ARREST OF
LAURENT NKUNDA
Classified By: Ambassador Symington, reason 1.4 (B) and (D)
1. (SBU) Congolese refugee supporters of detained CNDP
General Laurent Nkunda protested in two camps in Rwanda on
January 25, Kiziba camp near Kibuye and Gihembe camp in
Byumba. Sources at the Rwandan National Police and the local
UNHCR office confirmed that the protests turned violent in
Kiziba camp, with one policeman seriously beaten by
demonstrators, and a woman injured when police at the scene
attempted to disperse protestors by firing into the air.
Police contacts also relayed an unconfirmed report that
Rwandophone Congolese students at a nearby university in
Gisenyi organized the protests, and 12 had been arrested for
doing so.
2. (C) The UNHCR External Relations Officer told PolOff UNHCR
staff had not entered either camp since the protests began.
UNHCR was in the process of redrafting its contingency
security plans following the protest and staff would return
as soon as possible to the camps (staff will enter January
27). The officer reported that UNHCR field staff observed a
mix of Rwandan police and military preventing exit or entry
from Gihembe camp following the demonstration. She said the
primary security concern seemed to be camp youth, who had
reportedly thrown stones during the protest. However refugee
committees within the camps were cooperating with UNHCR and
local officials to tamp down the protests.
3. (SBU) Comment: At least some of the Congolese refugees in
the Gihembe and Kiziba camps are sympathetic to Nkunda's
oft-stated mission to protect Congolese Tutsi, and view him
as a liberation figure whose efforts could speed their own
return to the Congo. His arrest/detention by the Government
of Rwanda may be viewed by these refugees as a betrayal.
That the frustration and anger surrounding their long-delayed
returned to the Congo resulted in some violence is not
particularly surprising, but it appears that it will not
deteriorate into a more serious security issue. End comment.
SYMINGTON
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV PREF PHUM RW
SUBJECT: CONGOLESE REFUGEES DEMONSTRATE AGAINST ARREST OF
LAURENT NKUNDA
Classified By: Ambassador Symington, reason 1.4 (B) and (D)
1. (SBU) Congolese refugee supporters of detained CNDP
General Laurent Nkunda protested in two camps in Rwanda on
January 25, Kiziba camp near Kibuye and Gihembe camp in
Byumba. Sources at the Rwandan National Police and the local
UNHCR office confirmed that the protests turned violent in
Kiziba camp, with one policeman seriously beaten by
demonstrators, and a woman injured when police at the scene
attempted to disperse protestors by firing into the air.
Police contacts also relayed an unconfirmed report that
Rwandophone Congolese students at a nearby university in
Gisenyi organized the protests, and 12 had been arrested for
doing so.
2. (C) The UNHCR External Relations Officer told PolOff UNHCR
staff had not entered either camp since the protests began.
UNHCR was in the process of redrafting its contingency
security plans following the protest and staff would return
as soon as possible to the camps (staff will enter January
27). The officer reported that UNHCR field staff observed a
mix of Rwandan police and military preventing exit or entry
from Gihembe camp following the demonstration. She said the
primary security concern seemed to be camp youth, who had
reportedly thrown stones during the protest. However refugee
committees within the camps were cooperating with UNHCR and
local officials to tamp down the protests.
3. (SBU) Comment: At least some of the Congolese refugees in
the Gihembe and Kiziba camps are sympathetic to Nkunda's
oft-stated mission to protect Congolese Tutsi, and view him
as a liberation figure whose efforts could speed their own
return to the Congo. His arrest/detention by the Government
of Rwanda may be viewed by these refugees as a betrayal.
That the frustration and anger surrounding their long-delayed
returned to the Congo resulted in some violence is not
particularly surprising, but it appears that it will not
deteriorate into a more serious security issue. End comment.
SYMINGTON