Cablegate: New Vice Governor Elected in South Kivu

VZCZCXRO1527
PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #0591 1511606
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 311606Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6206
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000591

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM CG
SUBJECT: NEW VICE GOVERNOR ELECTED IN SOUTH KIVU

1. (U) South Kivu's provincial assembly unanimously elected
Bernard Watunakanza Banamwezi vice governor May 26. Banamwezi
is a member of the Social Movement for Renewal (MSR)
political party of Minister of State for Infrastructure and
Reconstruction Pierre Lumbi. He ran unopposed as a candidate
of the pro-Kabila Alliance for the Presidential Majority
(AMP), which holds a majority in the provincial assembly.

2. (U) The special election for vice governor was held after
the position's previous occupant, Leon Mumate, died
unexpectedly May 11 from hypertension and renal failure.
Mumate, who had just been elected in January, was also
aligned with the AMP.

3. (SBU) Banamwezi, 54, was born December 10, 1952 in South
Kivu. He is an ethnic Rega from Mwenga Territory, as was his
predecessor Mumate. Banamwezi was a teacher and headmaster
before becoming an active member of South Kivu's civil
society.
MEECE

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