DRC-RWANDA BILATERAL COMMISSION DISCUSSES SECURITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 001129 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/22/2019 TAGS: PREL PBTS EPET EAIR MARR PREF RW CG SUBJECT: DRC-RWANDA BILATERAL COMMISSION DISCUSSES SECURITY AND RESOURCES REF: KINSHASA 1066 Classified By: Ambassador William J. Garvelink for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The DRC-Rwandan Joint Grand Commission met in Kinshasa December 17-19, after a recess of 21 years. Minister for International Cooperation Raymond Tshibanda led the DRC delegation and his former homologue and newly appointed Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo led the Rwandan contingent. The commission, a possible mechanism for implementing rapprochement, reviewed the gamut of issues from economic and military cooperation to management of trade and population flows. Although not mentioned in the press, discussions on competing claims to methane reserves under Lake Kivu may also have been on the agenda. End summary. ¶2. (U) The fourth bilateral commission meeting was the third in a series of publicized confidence-building measures following closely on the presidential summit in August and the exchange of ambassadors in recent weeks. Although the commission's final report is pending publication, a joint communique quoted in the pro-government daily "L'Avenir" said in part: "The two delegations note with satisfaction progress in bilateral relations, notably in the sectors of politics, defense, and security." The delegations discussed "harmonizing administrative procedures" concerning border issues including migratory and refugee movements, and "hailed the success of Kimia II military operations in eradicating the FDLR and other armed rebel groups." ¶3. (C) Recently accredited Rwandan Ambassador Amandin Rugira (reftel) coordinated preparations for and participated in the bilateral event, yet, a reliable diplomatic source told poloff that Rugira expressed "surprise" at the idea of Kimia 2 operations coming to an end. Rugira also told the source the GDRC asserted the FDLR contributed to unrest in Dongo (Note: The decision to bring Kimia 2 to an end was probably a MONUC decision the DRC -- and Rwanda -- had no choice but to accept. While not surprising that Ambassador Rugira would assert FDLR connivance in the Dongo violence, we have seen no credible evidence of FDLR involvement in that conflict. End note). The next meeting of the commission is forecast for ¶2011. ¶4. (U) In addition to the joint communique, the respective delegation heads talked to the press. While Tshibanda's public comments underscored in broad terms the commitment of Presidents Kabila and Kagame and their desire for implementation of the commission's recommendations, Mushikiwabo's comments were more specific. Quoted by Radio Top Congo, she said Rwanda is committed to achieving concrete results in common projects, such as enabling "Rwandan aviation companies to open direct routes from Kigali to Goma and Kinshasa" (Note: Some local observers fear such flights, especially small carriers, would support smuggling of minerals. End note). Mushikiwabo also called for cooperation in exploitation of methane deposits in Lake Kivu. ¶5. (SBU) Fearing a repeat of increased tensions with another neighbor, Angola, over contested natural resources, independent daily "Le Potential" asked if rancor would replace rapprochement given the potentially explosive debate over methane gas reserves located under the DRC-Rwandan littoral border. The bilateral commission called for an Qlittoral border. The bilateral commission called for an environmental impact study on gas extraction in Lake Kivu, home to six blocks of proven methane reserves currently exploited by Rwanda. Based on findings published in June from a two-year study funded by the World Bank, Congolese and Rwandan ministers of energy met in August and agreed to conduct a feasibility study for a joint electricity generation project. Areas of possible contention include credible claims that the GDRC already initiated negotiations with private investors for exploitation of some blocks, and that Rwanda appears ready to begin operation next month of two independent electricity generation projects. ¶6. (SBU) Comment: Resumption of the Joint Grand Commission bilateral framework is a welcome sign that rapprochement between the DRC and Rwanda is ongoing and becoming stronger. It is noteworthy that the DRC is also in diplomatic discussions regarding competing claims for gas and oil resources with two other neighbors -- Uganda on Lake Albert, KINSHASA 00001129 002 OF 002 and Angola along the Atlantic coast. This is a hopeful regional trend and would suggest that armed conflict over competing claims to resource rights may soon become a thing of the past. It may also attest to an evolution in the way the GDRC thinks trategically: a move away from short-term military security towards longer-term economic security. End comment. GARVELINK