FOREIGN MINISTER ON JOINT OPERATIONS AND FOUR PLUS

C O N F I D E N T I A L KIGALI 000086 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/21/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS RW SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER ON JOINT OPERATIONS AND FOUR PLUS FOUR TALKS Classified By: Ambassador Symington for Reasons 1.4 (b) (d) ¶1. (C) Foreign Minister Rosemary Museminali briefed the diplomatic corps on February 9 on the continuing joint military operations in the eastern Congo and the 4 Plus 4 talks held February 5-6 in Gisenyi between Rwanda and the DRC. Drawing from the 4 Plus 4 Joint Communique distributed at the briefing (e-mailed to AF/C),Museminali stated the joint operations continued to go well, and noted the re-establishment of Congolese state authority in many areas of the Kivus. She also cited as positive the considerable weakening of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) along several srtategic axes and increased disarmament and repatriation of its members, the facilitation of humanitarian assistance and return of IDPs, and the integration of the National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP) and other armed groups into the Congolese armed forces (FARDC). She said 40 percent of the joint operations objectives had been achieved so far, including a 60 percent reintegration of CNDP forces. She noted Rwanda had agreed to return renegade Congolese CNDP General Nkunda to the DRC authorities, and said the GOR and DRC had established a six-person technical committee to examine "modalities" for that transfer. ¶2. (C) The two governments, she said, had reiterated their intentions to open embassies in each other's capitals, with the DRC pledging to open its embassy by the end of February. The DRC had also pledged to appoint soon its representatives to the Economic Community of the Great Lakes (CEPGL). She particularly praised the successful efforts by the Congolese government to educate its population on the aims of the joint operations. She said the two governments saw a continuing role for former heads of state Obasanjo and Mpaka in the CNDP/DRC dialogue, with the talks moved inside the DRC. She requested the further assistance of the international community in support of efforts to find and prosecute the FDLR in nations around the world. In brief comments, military spokesman Major Jill Rutaremara said the FDLR was on the run, had low morale, and was being denied access to mines and other economic assets. ¶3. (C) In answer to a question from one of the the assembled diplomats on Jean Bosco Ntaganda's leadership role in the CNDP, Museminali said security issues came first, and legal questions next. She asked the MONUC representative to clarify MONUC's position on working on operations where Bosco was present. He replied that MONUC would not deal with Bosco, adding that if the Congolese authorities as a party to the International Criminal Court (ICC) sought MONUC's help in detaining Bosco, MONUC would assist, but obviously no request of this nature had been made. In response to a question on repatriation versus relocation of the FDLR, she said the two governments were striving to "remove obstacles to reintegration," noting that much negative and inaccurate information circulated among FDLR cadres and their supporters on conditions in Rwanda. Both governments much preferred on conditions in Rwanda. Both governments much preferred return to Rwanda rather than relocation elsewhere, she said. Asked if former Great Lakes Joseph Mutaboba would be replaced, she said the position was a presidential prerogative, and there was "much work still to be done" in that position - implying heavily that another envoy would be appointed. One ambassador asked whether MONUC was in control of mines in areas where the FDLR had fled. Museminali stated the mines were back in DRC control. ¶4. (C) Comment. Museminali appeared pleased to be reporting to the diplomatic community a positive message of continuing cooperation between the two governments and ongoing success in the eastern Congo. Rwandan officials appear to recognize the difficulties they face if they are to continue building on their partnership with the DRC. Not least, they face the prospect that conflict with the FDLR with harm local populations. Other key concerns are the disposition of Nkunda, the role of Jean Bosco Ntaganda, and the establishment and sustainment of DRC control after the joint operations end. The DRC's president shares their view that the situation before the joint operations was untenable and that only a bilateral partnership could produce lasting change in the status quo. The status quo today is remarkably different from one month ago and Rwanda and the DRC continue to seek international support for the FDLR's reintegration and other efforts that will be needed to sustain that positive change. End comment. SYMINGTON