CHARGE D'AFFAIRES AND DEFENSE COOPERATION CHIEF

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000628 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O.12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO KWMN OEXC SCUL PREL PGOV PINS, MARR, MASS, MCAP, MAP, CG SUBJECT: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES AND DEFENSE COOPERATION CHIEF URGE GDRC GOVERNMENT TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST SGBV REF: (a) Kinshasa 613; (b) Kinshasa 624 ¶1. (SBU): Summary: Charge d'affaires and director of office of security cooperation (OSC) held separate meetings June 25 with foreign minister's chief of staff and acting director of military operations respectively to urge the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to take quick and decisive action against sexual and gender based violence (SGBV). Both interlocutors agreed to convey our message to their bosses, i.e. the ministers of foreign affairs and of defense. These demarches are part of a concerted effort to make DRC officials aware of our concerns and to impress upon them that the USG is willing to work closely with the GDRC to combat SGVB. On June 24 Charge and mission team working on SGBV issues met with Congolese reporters to talk about USG anti-SGBV programs (ref a). More information about SGBV in the DRC and mission's efforts to address it is at ref b. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) Charge d'affaires, accompanied by acting DCM, met June 25 with Valentin Matungul, foreign minister Alexis Thambe Mwamba's chief of staff. The meeting was requested by charge. Also present was Ms. Clementine Shakembo Kamanga, director of the Foreign Ministry's office of American affairs. Charge began by noting that recent reports in the international media on SGBV in the eastern Congo have contributed to a heightened awareness in the United States of the alarming incidence of SGBV in the DRC. This in turn had resulted in demands for greater action to address the problem. The charge emphasized that American interest would not diminish any time soon because the issue had come to the attention of senior members of the administration who were working with the embassy to strengthen USG action against SGVB. The U.S. mission expected to receive increased funding in the near future to bolster existing activities and to devise and implement new programs, in traditional areas and in new ones as well. Mission staff would work closely with the GDRC in an effort to make real headway in combating SGBV. ¶3. (SBU) Charge also mentioned that a number of U.S. celebrities had come to the DRC to lend their support to efforts to combat SGBV and that it would be logical to expect more visitors, including both entertainment and political personalities. He urged Matungul to convey to the foreign minister and other senior government members the message that the USG strongly urges the GDRC to take resolute action against SGBV and that the U.S. stands ready to help. (Note: the previous day the Mission held a press event to inform Congolese journalists of ongoing USG efforts to combat SGBV. A report on the press event is at ref a; a summary of press reports on the event is at ref b. End note.) Matungul listened carefully but did not ask questions or otherwise make comments. After the charge had finished, Matungul acknowledged that SGVB is a significant problem and that he appreciated the United States' willingness to assist in efforts to address it. He promised to convey the charge's message to the foreign minister. ¶4. (SBU) Chief, Office of Security Cooperation (OSC),met with Col. Ekuba Mondo, Acting Chief of Operations of the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC),also on June 25. OSC Chief mentined to Ekuba that SGBV has become a prominent isse at Department of State, Office of the Secretar of Defense, and U.S. Africa Command and that a grat deal of focus will be placed on the topic in he coming months. OSC Chief stated that FARDC neded to address the problem quickly and vigorousl and that OSC would assist in the effort where possible. Ekuba made notesduring the conversation and recognized that SGBV was a problem that required attention in the FARDC. He aknowledged the OSC offer of assistance. ¶5. (SBU) Chief OSC then discussed several means t assist the FARDC in addressing SGBV. Mondo conurred that continuation of Defense International nstitute of Legal Studies (DIILS) programs would ad the military courts in legal adjudication of rpe cases brought and would aid in addressing theproblem with soldiers attending U.S.- provided training and engagement. OSC Chief presented the option of developing a training program focused on production of FARDC-developed media that could be made available to media outlets for publication and presentation. After the meeting OSC Chief presented the concept of a media training event designed to engage FARDC public affairs soldiers over the course of the next fiscal year to USAFRICOM for consideration and sourcing. ¶6. (SBU) Comment: Low-key reactions of Matungul and Mondo were not unexpected. Many Congolese interlocutors understand our concern and acknowledge there is a problem but typically are not willing or able to comment on the issue in concrete terms. A commitment from the GDRC to take SGBV seriously will require intense engagement by KINSHASA 00000628 002 OF 002 senior USG leaders vis-a vis the highest levels of the GRDC over an extended period of time. End comment. BROCK