NORTH KIVU HUNDE DISCUSSES RWANDOPHONIE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000503

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/28/2019
TAGS: PGOV MOPS PINR PHUM PREF CG
SUBJECT: NORTH KIVU HUNDE DISCUSSES RWANDOPHONIE

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires a.i. Samuel Brock for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).


1. (C) Summary: A North Kivu Hunde contact recently told us
that both DRC President Kabila and Rwandan President Kagame
want North Kivu Governor Julien Paluku to step down. While
Nande do not oppose Paluku being replaced, they do not want a
Rwandophone governor or vice-governor. The GDRC, in the
opinion of our contact, had abandoned non-Rwandophones in the
region, while, somewhat paradoxically, the Rwandan Government
understands that it will be important to work with all ethnic
groups in the province. The historically strong Nande-Hunde
alliance has become even more tight in the face of increasing
Rwandophone influence. Disgruntled, non-Rwandophone military
elements may return to armed conflict, but our contact
conceded this was not imminent. The CNDP, in a federal
government shuffle, will most likely obtain several
ministerial posts, as well as positions in the intelligence
services, FARDC, and national police. End summary.


2. (C) We recently spoke with a North Kivu contact, a Hunde
who had been involved in the Amani Peace Process. According
to our contact, Rwandan Government influence in the Petit
Nord continues to grow. Representatives from non-Rwandophone
groups have reportedly become increasingly frustrated with
what they perceive as GDRC indifference to crucial issues,
e.g., integration and the North Kivu governor's post. In
some cases, these representatives have apparently even
traveled to Kigali to plead their case with the GoR.


3. (C) Despite his concerns, our contact stated that he is
encouraged that "this time, the GoR appears to have learnt
from experience," i.e., that it is in its own interest to
include non-Rwandophones in positions of power in North Kivu.
On the other hand, the GDRC and President Kabila, according
to our contact, are either inactive on key issues (FARDC
salary payment, non-Rwandophone discontent) or they support
individuals with historical baggage, such as former North
Kivu Governor Eugene Serufuli, who have aggravated the
situation.


4. (C) Our contact said that North Kivu Governor Julien
Paluku (a Nande) would be forced out of his position within
3-4 months. Both Kabila and Rwandan President Kagame want
Paluku out, but Nande resistance in the provincial assembly
has proven formidable. Our contact added that the Nande
would also be glad to see Paluku out, but they are insisting
that his replacement be Nande with a Hunde deputy. The Nande
apparently oppose nominating a Rwandophone to either position.


5. (C) Unsurprisingly, our contact voiced opposition to any
administrative division of North Kivu into a Petit Nord and
Grand Nord. In addition to well-known Nande concerns about
losing economic influence in the Petit Nord, our contact
warned that Rwandophones could use their power base in the
Petit Nord to eventually move more aggressively into the
Grand Nord. According to our contact, a visiting UK
Government delegation recently raised the possibility of
splitting up North Kivu (Comment: we have since ascertained
that this was untrue. However, it does illustrate on-going
paranoia in some circles that outside powers will somehow
impose a re-drawing of the map. End comment).


6. (C) Turning to Nande-Hunde relations, our contact
emphasized that the two groups had historically collaborated
closely, primarily based on mutual distrust of the Hutus.
Our contact maintained that community leaders, including
military leaders such as LaFontaine and Janvier, believe
Kabila has "sold North Kivu to the Rwandophones." He claimed
some were "planning a new rebellion," but, when pressed, he
conceded that armed opposition was not imminent.


7. (C) While the mass integration of CNDP and PARECO
elements into the FARDC presented the GDRC with an enormous
opportunity, our contact opined that Kinshasa had let any
potential gains slip away simply through inattention to
basics, i.e., payments of salaries, sufficient rations.
According to our contact, many non-Rwandophones officers,
including Janvier, have given up waiting on a FARDC
commission and have instead "returned to the bush." Even
LaFontaine, who publicly supported integration, is
discontent. Lobbying from prominent Nande, such as Abbe
Apollinaire Malu Malu and Paluku, has not helped LaFontaine.


8. (C) Regarding the CNDP, our contact said the new CNDP
political party would most likely receive several posts in a
new federal government, including 2-3 ministerial or

KINSHASA 00000503 002 OF 002


vice-ministerial slots, as well as positions in the FARDC,
intelligence service, and national police. Other groups
would probably not receive any posts, but our contact did
point to a burgeoning political alliance between CNDP and
PARECO. Our contact claimed that Malu Malu and Minister for
Regional and International Cooperation Raymond Tshibanda had
recently discussed a request from Kagame to Kabila to find a
position for Nkunda in the GDRC/FARDC.


9. (C) Comment: Our contact may be typical of those who
worry they may be left out by the relative ascendancy, for
now, of Rwandophones in North Kivu. While our contact
opposes current trends and even fears them, he also is trying
to position himself to benefit from the new order. He exuded
a combination of pessimism (the GDRC has abandoned
non-Rwandophones in the region) and optimism (the GoR
understands that it must work with all the relevant actors in
the region). His conflicting emotions are understandable as
the new order in North Kivu does correspond to agreements
that appear to have been worked out between Kabila and
Kagame. As a result, some groups will in fact lose out in
the new political, military and economic constellation in the
province.
BROCK