VZCZCXYZ0010
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKI #1141 3580948
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 240948Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0495

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001141 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR G/TIP (RYOUSEY) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ELAB KCRM KMCA KTIP PGOV KWMN PHUM PREL SMIG
CG 
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED TO DRC HUMAN RIGHTS MINISTER: 
CHILD SOLDIER PREVENTION ACT 
 
REF: STATE 121328 
 
¶1.  Per reftel, on December 22 DCM and Poloff delivered 
information on changes to the Child Soldier Prevention Act to 
Minister of Human Rights Upio Kakura Wapol.  Kakura responded 
with candor after listening to the salient points of the 
demarche concerning the definition of a child soldier, the 
impact of appearing on the list in 2010, and a recognition of 
existing legislation regarding the recruitment of child 
soldiers.  He acknowledges there is a gap between the 
existence of Congolese laws and their application, 
particularly in the area of child soldiers.  Referring to the 
CNDP integration process, he pointed out that there are 
differences between the political and practical processes of 
integration and that this gap has an impact on the presence 
of child soldiers in armed groups.  Once effective 
integration will take place, he said, the next challenge will 
be what to do with the child soldiers.  After a child has 
been demobilized, there exists the strong possibility of 
re-recruitment by other groups.  For those child soldiers who 
are now 18 years of age or older, there is a choice between 
staying in the army or attempting civilian integration, each 
with their own difficulties. 
 
¶2.  Kakura mentioned the existence of an inter-ministerial 
(Ministries of Defense, Human Rights, and Justice among 
others) steering committee for demobilization and 
reintegration that is tasked with these questions.  One of 
his personal ideas is to set up a reintegration school that 
would be compulsory that all ex-child soldiers would attend 
to assist them in readapting to a normal life.  Finally, 
Kakura asked what specific information he should provide in 
order to show what the GDRC is doing in stopping the presence 
of child soldiers.  DCM replied that information on GDRC 
programs and existing laws vis-a-vis child soldiers, 
statistics on the dimensions of the problem in the DRC, on 
the Government's successes and failures in dealing with child 
soldiers, and on programs dealing with child soldiers carried 
out by NGO's, churches, etc. would be helpful. 
 
¶3.  (Bio note and comment:  Trained as a lawyer, Kakura was 
elected to Parliament in 2006 having worked previously as 
legal advisor for the Airport Authority (RVA) and as a member 
of the governing board for Lignes aeriennes congolaises 
(LAC).  He is a member of the Alur tribe from Mahagi, Ituri 
District, Orientale Province and speaks both French and 
English, preferring French, however, when speaking with us. 
Kakura has consistently demonstrated openness and a 
willingness to engage with us when discussing human rights. 
In DCM's view, based on nearly two and a half years at post, 
he is one of the DRC's more accessible, and pleasant cabinet 
members.  End bio note and comment.) 
GARVELINK