CONGOLESE REFUGEES DEMONSTRATE AGAINST ARREST OF

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