Cabinet Reshuffle Announced Over Weekend; Impact Still

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KINSHASA 000218 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON CG SUBJECT: Cabinet Reshuffle Announced Over Weekend; Impact Still Uncertain ¶1. 1. (U) On February 20 President Kabila announced a new cabinet, his third since taking office in December 2006. Also included in the announcement are the names of a new special advisor for security affairs, as well as a new chief of staff. Analysis of the new cabinet's likely impact, as well information on new ministers, will follow via septels. ¶2. 2. (SBU) Although the overall changes were not significant, there were several items of note: The cabinet has decreased from a total of 54 members to 43. In addition, just over half (7) of the vice ministries were retained from a previous total of 13. Prime Minister Muzito retained his position, as did a number of other important ministers, notably Alexis Thambwe MWAMBA (Foreign Affairs); Lambert MENDE (Communications); Raymond TSHIBANDA (International and Regional Cooperation); Charles MWANDO Simba (Defense); Olivier KAMITATU (planning); Jose ENDUNDU (Environment); and Martin KABWELULU (Mining). The most significant changes were that of the finance and budget ministers. Also Deputy Mining Minister Victor KASONGO, a powerful force in the previous Mining Ministry, did not remain in the new ministry. The former Minister of Health, eliminated during the October 2008 cabinet reshuffle, was reinstated in his previous position. None of the cabinet members have a noticeable CNDP affiliation. ¶3. 3. (U) The new cabinet is as follows (asterisk * denotes the minister was retained from the previous cabinet): DEPUTY PRIME MINISTERS Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Employment, Labor and Social Welfare: Fran????ois-Joseph Nzanga MOBUTU Ngbangawe * Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior and Security: Adolphe LUMANU MULENDA Bwana N'sefu Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Postal Services, Telephones and Telecommunications: Simon BULUPIY GALATI MINISTERS Minister of Foreign Affairs: Alexis THAMBWE MWAMBA * Minister of International and Regional cooperation: Raymond TSHIBANDA N'TUNGAMULONGO * Minister of National Defense and Veterans: Charles MWANDO SIMBA * Minister of Justice and Human Rights: LUZOLO BAMBI LESSA * Minister of Decentralization and Territorial Organization: Antipas MBUSA NYAMWISI * Minister of Relations with the Parliament: Richard MUYEJ MANGENZ MANS Minister of Communications and Media: Lambert MENDE OMALANGA * Minister of Finance: MATATA PONYO MAPON Minister of Budget: Jean-Baptiste NTAHWA KUDERWA BATUMIKE Minister of Plan: Olivier KAMITATU ETSU * Minister of Government-Owned Enterprises: Jeannine MABUNDA LIOKO * Minister of National Economy: Jean-Marie BULAMBO KILOSHO Minister of Infrastructures, Public Works and Reconstruction: Fridolin KASWESHI MUSOKA KINSHASA 00000218 002 OF 003 Minister of Energy: Gilbert TSHIONGO TSHIBINKUBULA WA TUMBA Minister of Mines: Martin KABWELULU LABILO * Minister of Hydrocarbons: C????lestin MBUYU KABANGO * Minister of Environment, Conservation of Nature and Tourism: Jos???? ENDUNDO BONONGE * Minister of Transports and Communication ways: Laure-Marie KAWANDA KAYENA Minister of Public Health: Victor MAKWENGE KAPUT * Minister of Higher Education and Universities: Leonard MASHAKO MAMBA * Minister of Primary and Secondary schools and Vocational Training: Maker MWANGU FAMBA * Minister of Agriculture: Norbert BASENGEZI KATINTIMA * Minister of Rural Development: Philippe UNDJI YANGYA Minister of Industry: Anicet KUZUNDA MUTANGIJI Minister of Trade and Small and Medium Size Enterprises: Bernard BIANDO SANGO Minister of Gender, Women and Children: Marie-Ange LUKIANA MUFWANKOLO * Minister of Land Property: Maj KISIMBA NGOY Minister of Town planning and Habitat: C????sar LUBAMBA NGIMBI * Minister of Social Affairs, Humanitarian Action and National Solidarity: Ferdinand KAMBERE KALUMBI * Minister of Public Administration: Dieudonn???? UPIRA SUNGUMA KAGIMBI Minister of Scientific Research: Jean-Pierre BOKOLE OMPOKA Minister of Culture and Arts: Jeannette KAVIRA MAPERA Minister of Youth and Sports: Claude BAZIBUHE NYAMUGABO * VICE-MINISTERS Vice-Minister of the Interior: Georges ZUKA MON'DO UGONDA-LEMBA Vice-Minister of Foreign affairs: Ignace GATA MAVITA WA LUFUTA * Vice-Minister of Finance: Joas MBITSO NGEDZA Vice-Minister of Budget: Andr???? SHIKAYI LUBOYA BANKINA Vice-Minister of Trade: Xaverine KAROMBA MITIMITUJE Vice-Minister of Public Works: Gervais NTIRUMENYERWA KIMONYO * Vice-Minister of Vocational Training: Arthur SEDEA NGAMO ZABUSU* ¶4. 4. (SBU) Comment: Although many of the major players have remained the same and a cabinet reshuffle had been widely anticipated since July, 2009, the changes in the Finance and Budget ministers and the elimination of the vice minister position in the powerful mines ministry are significant. Vice Minister of Mines Kasongo played a key role in the still ongoing mining contract review process and was considered by many as the real power in the mines ministry. The replacement of Finance Minister Matenda raises questions about the possible impact on the timing of debt rescheduling negotiations planned for this week at the Paris Club KINSHASA 00000218 003 OF 003 Secretariat. Post will report septel on implications of changes in the key economic ministries on GDRC efforts to reach HIPC completion point before June, 2010 and broader macroeconomic policy. End Comment. GARVELINK