KABILA'S NEW YEAR'S ADDRESS EMPHASIZES PROGRESS ON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000001

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM SOCI ECON MOPS CG
SUBJECT: KABILA'S NEW YEAR'S ADDRESS EMPHASIZES PROGRESS ON
2006 CAMPAIGN PROMISES; SOME SEE ALLUSIONS TO CABINET
RESHUFFLE

REF: 09 KINSHASA 1079


1. (SBU) Summary: In his annual televised New Year's
address to the nation, President Kabila reiterated campaign
themes that formed the basis of his 2006 campaign and his
2009 State of the Nation speech (reftel),and may also have
hinted that a long expected cabinet reshuffle will be
forthcoming. Kabila's self-proclaimed three-fold mandate is
to establish peace throughout the country, achieve
macro-economic stability, and improve local living conditions
under his five-point development program dubbed the "Cinq
Chantiers (five construction sites)." Kabila proclaimed that
"uncertainty regarding sustainable peace in the East is at an
end following military operations against foreign armed
groups, the signing of the Goma peace accords, and
normalization of relations with neighboring countries." In
his remarks, Kabila noted that 2010 will mark the 50th
anniversary of Congolese independence, "an anniversary that
we are so proud to celebrate, which shows that, despite
attempts to destabilize and balkanize the country," the DRC
"remains united within its 1960 borders." He highlighted
economic progress, with the DRC's accession to the heavily
indebted poor country (HIPC) initiative and the
"relinquishing of the foreign debt burden." He continued by
reviewing progress in the areas of good governance, human
rights, and improving basic infrastructure. His comments
regarding "mobilizing the best leaders" were taken by some
local analysts as hinting at a long anticipated cabinet
reshuffle. End summary.


2. (U) Translated text of the speech follows:

As we celebrate the passage from one year to another, I think
of each one of you and of all those who chose our country as
their second motherland. To each of you, I wish with all my
heart prosperity, health, and happiness. I also think of all
the compatriots that the Almighty called to Him during the
last twelve months. May their souls rest in peace.

The year we are ending has also been one of failure to
conclude, for lack of political will, an historic accord on
climate change, consequently reinforcing the worst worries
for the future of humanity.

For us Congolese, 2009 has also been the year of the end of
several uncertainties.

The end of uncertainties as to reaching the completion point
of the heavily indebted poor country initiative and of
relinquishing our country's foreign debt burden.

The end of uncertainties relating to the implementation of
national reconstruction, the five priorities of the Republic
with the actual launch of important infrastructure projects
in several places in the national territory.

The end of uncertainties as to the political willingness to
fight corruption, misappropriation of funds, embezzling of
public funds and social property, rape and other human rights
violations. Therefore it is under good auspices that we are
beginning the year, which bodes well for more than one
reason. Particularly, because it is the year of an
anniversary that is unlike others: that of 50 years of our
country's independence. An anniversary that we are so proud
to celebrate, that in spite of the plots to destabilize and
balkanize it, the DRC remains united within its 1960 borders.
The Congolese nation is both an undeniable and unalterable
reality.

The year 2010 will also be unique for the acceleration we
QThe year 2010 will also be unique for the acceleration we
seek to go forward with the establishment of modernization
projects for the Congo and for structural and institutional
reforms in all domains.

Thus, the courageous restructuring measures of our judicial
system which have been taken during 2009 to improve the
morality of political life, restore good governance, and
effectively end impunity shall be pursued and strengthened.
In this vein, elaborate instructions shall soon be given to
the government, to heads of other clearly identified
institutions, and our best leaders shall be mobilized. I
already confirm that beyond continuous consolidation of
peace, national cohesion and defense of territorial
integrity, another challenge that will draw more of our

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attention during the upcoming year is the improvement of
social conditions of our population, notably in the areas of
education and health, water and electricity, habitat and
employment, and raising the citizen's purchasing power.

My dear compatriots, the prospects of a restored world
economy, planned improvements in the business climate in the
country, and additional resources expected to address foreign
debt, are opportunities for growth, as well as incentives for
private investment, which is the locomotive par excellence
for the creation of riches and employment, with support and
supervision of public powers. From now on, everything
enables us to believe that a growth bearing progress is
within our reach. Let us be determined to mobilize
ourselves, as necessary. Therefore, once more, I call for
more popular commitments to the national reconstruction work,
for more responsibility in the exercise of political
prerogatives, for compliance with the law by all and for
personal and collective discipline. On my part, I shall be
involved so that peace prevails and is strengthened,
ceaselessly, all over the country, and that all Congolese
have a chance of developing and being able to materialize
their most noble dreams. I know that, in the face of any
vital challenge, our population has always been capable of
energetic action. Therefore, I am convinced that together,
and with God's help, we will make 2010, a jubilee year of our
national independence, a special year, a grand year for all,
a year of memories, of introspection and action and a year of
reconstitution of our collective memories, to lay the basis
for the sustainable development of our country.

A Good and Happy New Year 2010!

End text of speech.
GARVELINK