Cablegate: Seven International Visitors Alumni in New Cabinet

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DE RUEHKI #0242 0581501
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 271501Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5683
INFO RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000242

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPAO CG
SUBJECT: SEVEN INTERNATIONAL VISITORS ALUMNI IN NEW CABINET

1. (U) Seven former International Visitors hold portfolios in the
60-member, coalition-based government which took office on February
24.

A. Olivier Kamitatu Etsu, Minister of Plan, is an alumnus of an FY97
International Visitor program. Kamitatu is president of the Alliance
for the Renewal of the Congo (ARC) political party and a spokesman
for the pro-Kabila Alliance of the Presidential Majority (AMP). He
was president of the transitional national assembly until early 2006
and formerly a key member of Jean-Pierre Bemba's Movement for the
Liberation of Congo.

B. Simon Mboso Kiamputu, Minister of Industry, is a career
businessman who participated in the 'U.S. Economic System' IV
program in FY91. He also served as a government economic advisor
during the Mobutu era.

C. Charles Mwando Nsimba, Minister of Rural Development, is an
alumnus of an FY86 program on decentralization. He was a member of
the transitional parliament and held several ministerial portfolios
under Mobutu.

D. Marie-Ange Lukiana Mufwankolo, Minister of Labor and Social
Security, is an alumna of 'Women and Political Process' (FY91). She
is a former civil society activist and the current deputy
secretary-general of the pro-Kabila People's Party for

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Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), the majority party in
parliament, which she co-founded.

E. Laurent-Simon Ikenge Lisambola, Minister of Urban Planning and
Housing, is an alumnus of 'Protection and Promotion of Human Rights'
(FY05). Mr. Ikenge is the coordinator of Civil Society in Orientale
province.

F. Eugene Lokwa Ilwaloma, Minister of Human Rights, is an alumnus of
'General Education' (FY73). A lawyer, he was formerly a deputy dean
of the University of Kinshasa and director of the Institut
Pedagogique National (national teachers' college) in Kinshasa.

G. Colette Tshomba Ntundu, Vice-Minister in charge of the Congolese
Overseas, is an alumna of 'Role of the Media in the U.S.' (FY04).
Ms. Tshomba is a career journalist who is the owner and editor of a
pro-Kabila daily called 'Uhuru'. She formerly worked for the
government-owned Congolese National Radio and Television. A member
of the transitional parliament, she also won a seat in the
post-election national assembly representing Kamitatu's ARC party.

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