VZCZCXRO2695
PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #0595 1521243
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 011243Z JUN 07
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6211
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PRIORITY
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK PRIORITY
UNCLAS KINSHASA 000595
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM CG
SUBJECT: NATIONAL ASSEMBLY UPDATE: KIVU DEPUTIES WALK OUT
TO PROTEST KIVUS VIOLENCE
REF: KINSHASA 588
1. (U) A group of 42 deputies from both North and South Kivu
joined in an unscripted walk-out from the National Assembly
to protest the deteriorating security situation in the
eastern Congo. During the plenary on May 29, one deputy
announced a joint walk-out by all the North Kivu and South
Kivu members, claiming that they had exhausted all possible
avenues for resolving the continuing insecurity in the
region. He also rejected the Government's proposed
roundtable for addressing the issue as a "distraction."
2. (U) Another deputy from South Kivu took the floor
immediately after, stating that not all members from the
region supported the walk-out and arguing that the National
Assembly was the best venue for discussing the situation and
crafting responses. Assembly president Vital Kamerhe
supported these remarks, noting that he too is from South
Kivu, and urged all members to work together to find
resolution.
3. (U) On May 30, a deputy from South Kivu made a motion for
a recommendation that the draft budget be revised to include
a special section with expenditures specifically allocated to
combat insecurity in the Kivus, including military operations
against the FDLR. Kamerhe immediately put the recommendation
to a vote and it was adopted unanimously. When the budget is
accepted, the recommendation will go forward to the
Economic/Finance Commission.
4. (U) As of June 1, 42 deputies from both North and South
Kivu continue to engage in the boycott of the Assembly's
plenary. Five deputies are arguing strongly in favor of
continuing to participate in the plenary, and an additional
31 continue to attend the proceedings.
MEECE