Cablegate: Bemba Told to Move Guard Forces Outside City

VZCZCXRO7642
OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #1781 3280957
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 240957Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5205
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001781

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KPKO ASEC CG ELECTIONS
SUBJECT: BEMBA TOLD TO MOVE GUARD FORCES OUTSIDE CITY

REF: A. KINSHASA 1743
B. KINSHASA 1777

1. (U) Approximately 50 members of Vice President
Jean-Pierre Bemba's personal guard were transported from
Kinshasa to a military camp November 23. SRSG Swing
confirmed to the Ambassador that the troops traveled in
Congolese army vehicles from Bemba's private residence on
the Congo River, and were accompanied by some family members.

2. (U) The move followed press reports of an order to Bemba
by President Joseph Kabila, in his capacity as
commander-in-chief, to fulfill promises he made November 12
to redeploy his guard to Camp Maluku, approximately 70 km
northeast of the capital (ref A). It was not immediately
clear how many among the full complement of Bemba's estimated
500-600 member guard in Kinshasa were expected to move to
Maluku by the end of the day November 24.

3. (SBU) Bemba and the other three transitional vice
presidents have the right to security details as part of the
Sun City Accords. Bemba's guard has grown beyond the 100
authorized, and have been a continual source of insecurity in
the downtown and residential areas they have taken over.
MEECE

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