Cablegate: Final Wave of Appointments in Transitional

VZCZCXYZ0001
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKI #1616/01 2921511
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 191511Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4993
INFO RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001616

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM CG ELECTIONS
SUBJECT: FINAL WAVE OF APPOINTMENTS IN TRANSITIONAL
GOVERNMENT RE-SHUFFLE

REF: A. A. KINSHASA 1561
B. B. KINSHASA 1465
C. C. KINSHASA 1448

1. (SBU) Summary: Following President Kabila's ruling
faction appointments of replacements for newly elected
National Assembly members who were required to retire from
their government posts on October 11 (ref A), the remaining
transitional factions followed suit by naming their own
replacements who were approved on October 16. Replacement
ministers, governors and heads of parastatal companies
appointed by the other factions for the remainder of the
transition period (anticipated to last at most two to four
months) generally represent a reshuffling of party faithful
previously serving in a different ministry. Most of these
short-term appointees will make little political difference,
but they will add increased strain to the government's bottom
line as all will be eligible for salaries, benefits, and
severance packages after their limited service -- and some
will undoubtedly find opportunities for "unofficial" personal
profit. End summary.

2. (SBU) As reported reftel A, in accordance with the DRC's
Constitution, forty-nine National Assembly members were
required to resign their previous government posts within
eight days of the approval of their new mandates. In order
to fill high-level spots vacated by delegates to the new
National Assembly, all factions of the transition
government-- including those loyal to President Joseph
Kabila, Vice Presidents Jean-Pierre Bemba and Azarias
Ruberwa, Mai Mai groups, political opposition and civil
society -- nominated replacements for the ministries and
bureaus which remained under their control. Kabila's
nominees, who were approved on October 11, have been followed
by the nominees of the other transitional government
factions, who were confirmed by presidential decree October
16. Few names stand out among the new Congolese ministers,
governors and heads of parastatal companies. Several are
failed National Assembly candidates, others are party
functionaries or career public servants, and some have been
transferred from other ministries.

3. (SBU) The appointment of Tharcisse Habarugira (RCD) as
Minister of Defense is one of the notable exceptions.
Habarugira inherits the position reserved to Azarias
Ruberwa's RCD under the Sun City Accords. A Tutsi from the
Jomba area near Rutshuru in North Kivu province, he is
thought to be one of the few party members to retain at least
some influence with renegade general Laurent Nkunda.
Habarugira is also reputed to have a good working
relationship with Ruberwa, who lost most of his political
clout after the RCD's poor showing in the July elections.

4. (SBU) The remainder of the new ministerial appointees
confirmed on October 16 follow:
Minister of Justice: Pierre Ilunga Bundu wa Biluba
(political opposition)
Minister of Plan: Gerard Ntumba (MLC)
Minister of Budget: Jean-Claude Molipe (MLC)
Minister of Economy: Moise Nyarugabo (RCD)
Minister of Mines: Mathieu Kalele Kabila (political
opposition)
Minister of Portfolio: Balamage Nkolo (RCD-G)
Minister of Public Administration: Mme. Charlotte Twamba
Anzelani (civil society)
Minister of Agriculture: Romain Nimy (MLC)
Minister of Rural Development: Xavier Idi Mwanuke (Mai Mai)
Minister of Public Works/Infrastructure: Benjamin Kaswama
(MLC)
Minister of Environment: Elias Mulungula (Mai Mai)
Minister of Tourism: Simon Tshitenge
Minister of Primary/Secondary Education: Nyioni Bwanakawa
Minister of Labor: Hubert Efole (RCD-G)
Minister of Youth and Sport: Timothee Muteba (MLC)

5. (U) Provincial officials include:
Governor of Bandundu: Edouard Wenzi Wakoyula (MLC)
Vice Governor of Equateur: Jose Lipekele
Vice Governors of Kasai Occidental: Ngandu Lukadi, Cosmat
Minga Bengele
Vice Governor of Province Orientale: Ngelengi Elle
Vice Governor of South Kivu: Ignace Mupira Mambo.

6. (SBU) Comment: In policy terms, these lame-duck,
short-term appointees will be hard pressed to accomplish much
before they too are likely replaced sometime after the
December 10 presidential inauguration. Elections of new
governors by the Provincial Assemblies (whose members will

also be elected on October 29) are scheduled in mid-January
2007. The heaviest cost for the GDRC may be the burden of
providing full severance benefits, pensions and other perks
for a raft of high-level appointees who will only hold their
positions for a few months. End comment.
MEECE

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