VZCZCXRO1585
PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #0001/01 0061137
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 061137Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0530
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK

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 
 
KINSHASA 00000001  002 OF 002 
 
 
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