This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

C O N F I D E N T I A L  KINSHASA 000171 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2016 
TAGS: PGOV PREL KPKO KDEM CG
SUBJECT: SOUTH KIVU: NEW FACES, OLD PROBLEMS 
 
REF: 05 KINSHASA 1907 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Roger Meece.  Reasons 1.4 (b/d). 
 
¶1. (C) Summary: In Jan 12-13 meetings with the Ambassador and 
EmbOff, the new South Kivu Governor, MONUC Pakistani Brigade 
Commander, and FARDC Military Commander all expressed their 
commitment to moving ahead with a positive agenda for the 
province.  The discussions, however, revealed many familiar 
problems without obvious or easy answers, including poor 
inter-institutional communications and coordination, weak 
FARDC capacity, ongoing security sector issues, and 
provincial tensions focused on the High Plateau.  On a 
positive note, the Governor in particular placed strong 
emphasis on inclusiveness, and made a point of having his 
RCD-G Vice Governor present for all discussions.  As well, 
all interlocutors were encouraged by South Kivu's 
extraordinarily high voter registration and referendum 
participation rates.  It is clear, however, that South Kivu 
is and will remain a volatile threat to regional and national 
stability for quite some time.  End summary. 
 
¶2. (C) Following a visit by CODEL Kolbe to Ituri District, 
the Ambassador and Embassy RSO traveled to South Kivu 
province January 12 - 13, primarily to meet the new Governor 
of the Province, Deogracias Buhamba-Hamba; new MONUC 
Pakistani Brigade Commander, General Maqsood; and relatively 
new FARDC Military District Commander, General Agolowa. 
 
¶3. (C) The new Governor comes from a long business background 
(reftel), and made a point of telling the visiting Americans 
that he wanted to convey a "different" image than that 
normally associated with Congolese politicians.  In his 
description of plans and objectives, he placed a heavy stress 
on inclusiveness, describing for example his efforts to 
assemble a personal cabinet chosen to include representation 
of all major community (note: read geographic and ethnic) and 
religious groups in the province.  He noted he subsequently 
published a list of those appointed to make its broadly-based 
character clear to all.  The Governor, a representative of 
"the political opposition" under the Transition Government 
allocation formula, made a point of including the RCD-Goma 
Vice Governor in the introductory meeting, and both were also 
at an evening dinner hosted by the Ambassador.  (Comment: The 
province's other Vice Governor, also newly appointed, had not 
yet taken up her duties in Bukavu by January 12.  End 
comment.) 
 
¶4. (C) In separate meetings, the FARDC Military District 
Commander and MONUC Brigade Commander also talked about a 
positive agenda to continue moves against "negative forces" 
in the provinces, restore order, and support the Transition, 
and in particular the electoral process.  All professed 
satisfaction and pride in the very high rate of voter 
registration that had been achieved, as well as the 
extraordinary voter turnout in South Kivu in the December 
constitutional referendum, estimated at around 90 percent. 
The discussions, however, revealed a number of flaws in this 
picture.  General Agolowa, for example, confirmed that the 
FARDC Third Integrated Brigade had completed its deployment 
to South Kivu, an encouraging development as the Brigade 
represents the first deployment of a FARDC integrated unit to 
the province.  Responding to questions, however, he admitted 
that none of the Belgian-provided equipment for the Brigade 
had been moved from Kalemie (Katanga) to Bukavu, and even 
professed not to know whether the GDRC or Belgium was 
responsible for the shipment within the DRC.   All 
interlocutors confirmed that lack of support to FARDC troops 
represents a major ongoing problem.  Agolowa revealed another 
problem as he took a telephone call during the meeting, 
apparently from someone complaining about the actions of 
Republican Guard (GSSP) troops, based in South Kivu since 
last month's visit of President Kabila.  With obvious 
irritation, Agolowa told his caller that these troops did not 
report to him, but that he would take up the problem with the 
GSSP commander.  The new MONUC Brigade Commander indicated 
his concern about the lack of availability of FARDC units 
able to support operations in the province, including the 
FARDC battalions that had received training from the former 
Pakistani MONUC Brigade.  The newly deployed FARDC Third 
Integrated Brigade could do little without its equipment. 
 
¶5. (C) All confirmed that tensions in the High Plateau area 
(previously reported) centered on problems within the 
Banyamulenge community are a problem, with an attendant risk 
of open clashes that could escalate at any time.  None of the 
Congolese officials, however, agreed on a solution.  The 
Governor and Vice Governor both agreed that the issue has a 
major political component to it, although they disagreed on 
 
the specific characterization of the politics.  Both also 
agreed that a move by Agolowa to name an identified new 
brigade commander for the largely Banyamulenge FARDC Brigade 
now encamped around Minembwe was a good step.  Agolowa, 
however, in the later meeting with the Ambassador denied any 
intent, much less action, to name the identified officer as a 
new brigade commander, dismissing him as too junior.  Agolowa 
said no decision had been made on the matter.  From the 
various and contradictory accounts, it was clear 
communications between the provincial governor's 
administration, the military, and the new MONUC Brigade have 
major gaps. 
 
¶6. (C)   Comment:  Some of the observed problems and lack of 
coordination can be attributed to the fact that these key 
players are all relatively new to their offices and are still 
getting adjusted.  The MONUC Brigade Commander, for example, 
was obviously well briefed, but had only assumed command 
three weeks before, and was still clearly in the process of 
establishing his relationships.  Likewise, the Governor, who 
is originally from South Kivu, appears well intentioned and 
motivated.  His willingness to include the Vice Governor in 
discussions, despite obviously different views, was in 
contrast to his predecessor, and was also encouraging.  The 
Governor is new to office, however, and for that matter new 
to politics.  He has no particular background in military and 
security issues.  Some of these problems may be, and 
hopefully will be, mitigated with time.  Underlying issues, 
however, including weak FARDC capacity, and the tensions in 
the Banyamulenge area of the High Plateau have long histories 
and are not susceptible to quick or easy solutions.  In the 
meantime, there is always the potential of a clash, for 
example between rival Banyamulenge groups around Minembwe, 
escalating to more widespread conflict.  The FDLR threat in 
the province, of course, remains a major concern as well.  In 
brief, while the overall security and political environment 
have certainly improved in the province over the past year, 
and the success of the voter registration and referendum 
exercises in South Kivu is encouraging, the province will 
remain a volatile threat to stability in the region for the 
foreseeable future.  End comment. 
MEECE 
 
 
NNNN