Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
License needed for work use Register

Search

 

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

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
World Headlines

 
UN News: Aid Access Is Key Priority

Among the key issues facing diplomats is securing the release of a reported 199 Israeli hostages, seized during the Hamas raid. “History is watching,” says Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths. “This war was started by taking those hostages. Of course, there's a history between Palestinian people and the Israeli people, and I'm not denying any of that. But that act alone lit a fire, which can only be put out with the release of those hostages.” More


Save The Children: Four Earthquakes In a Week Leave Thousands Homeless

Families in western Afghanistan are reeling after a fourth earthquake hit Herat Province, crumbling buildings and forcing people to flee once again, with thousands now living in tents exposed to fierce winds and dust storms. The latest 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit 30 km outside of Herat on Sunday, shattering communities still reeling from strong and shallow aftershocks. More

UN News: Nowhere To Go In Gaza

UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said some 1.1M people would be expected to leave northern Gaza and that such a movement would be “impossible” without devastating humanitarian consequences and appeals for the order to be rescinded. The WHO joined the call for Israel to rescind the relocation order, which amounted to a “death sentence” for many. More


Access Now: Telecom Blackout In Gaza An Attack On Human Rights

By October 10, reports indicated that fixed-line internet, mobile data, SMS, telephone, and TV networks are all seriously compromised. With significant and increasing damage to the electrical grid, orders by the Israeli Ministry of Energy to stop supplying electricity and the last remaining power station now out of fuel, many are no longer able to charge devices that are essential to communicate and access information. More

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.