VZCZCXRO9576
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #0218/01 0531152
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 221149Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0220
INFO RWANDA COLLECTIVE
SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0023
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEHC/USAID WASHDC 0032
RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK

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