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