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Viewing cable 07KINSHASA496, DRC BORDER SECURITY REMAINS ILLUSIVE

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
07KINSHASA496 2007-05-02 17:11 2011-08-25 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Kinshasa
VZCZCXRO3532
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #0496/01 1221711
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 021711Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6068
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000496 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SMIG ASEC CASC EAIR ECON CG
SUBJECT: DRC BORDER SECURITY REMAINS ILLUSIVE 
 
1. (SBU) Summary: N'Djili International Airport in Kinshasa and 
Ngobila Beach, the ferry crossing point to Brazzaville, abound with 
examples of poor adherence by the GDRC to international border 
security norms. The GDRC's attempts to correct this situation have 
not yet yielded results.  Parallel efforts by the GDRC to control 
illegal aliens operating in the mining sector in Katanga province 
may have a spillover effect nationwide, and Post is watching this 
situation for possible repercussions for American citizens.  End 
Summary. 
 
--------------- 
Secure Borders? 
--------------- 
 
2. (SBU) During a late January visit to both the N'djili 
International Airport in Kinshasa and to Ngobila Beach, the official 
Congo River border station with daily ferry traffic to Brazzaville 
in the ROC, ConOff and consular staff made several observations 
concerning the current state of border security and passenger 
controls that raise serious questions about the DRC government's 
adherence to international border security norms.  Regarding Ngobila 
Beach, DRC immigration and customs officials estimate that 5,000 
persons or more are legally crossing the border on a daily basis, 
mostly small-scale commercial traders who are transporting goods to 
and from the DRC from the Republic of Congo.  These wares largely 
consist of locally traded items, including bolts of 
locally-manufactured fabric and plastics, flour, rice, sugar, rubber 
shoes, plastic bags and some produce. 
 
3. (SBU) While the GDRC ferry boat has a capacity of 500 persons, 
clearly 700 or more people had embarked upon the ferry boat that was 
present at the time of the visit.  While most had paid the 500 franc 
Congolaise (approximately $.90) fare, many had not and these extra 
passengers boarded the ferry after a short swim in the river or by 
propelling themselves hand over hand along the underneath side of 
the gangplank linking the boat with the dock.  Additionally, another 
quarter of the passengers were the locally infamous wheelchair-bound 
handicapped who are boarded free of charge and are afforded special 
customs exemptions limited to what they and their helper can 
transport on their wheelchairs.  During the visit, no passenger 
screening measures were observed and in fact, the fluidity of 
passenger and cargo travel was astonishing. 
 
4. (SBU) Kinshasa's N'djili International Airport has international 
flights to Belgium, France, South Africa, Kenya and Ethiopia that 
connect to flights to the United States.  During the consular staff 
outreach visit to inspect airport facilities and meet with airport 
authorities, immigration and airport security officials offered a 
demonstration of their X-ray screening procedures for hand baggage 
for departing passengers.  ConOff offered her own hand bag for this 
inspection under the watchful eye of several specially trained 
airport security officials.  The hand bag was scanned three times 
during various stages of the check-in process, and her pocketknife 
was never discovered, although clearly in plain view on the X-ray. 
(Note: X-ray scanners, computers and other security screening 
equipment function with varying degrees of accuracy at N'djili 
International Airport.  These systems vary, depending on how well 
trained and regularly paid the airport screeners are, as well as on 
the simple availability of electricity. End note.) 
 
-------------------------- 
Worried about Public Image 
-------------------------- 
 
5. (SBU) N'djili International Airport and Ngobila Beach have long 
been known for their Byzantine arrival and departure procedures 
involving up to 18 different agencies and services that check 
arriving and departing passengers for both domestic and 
international travel. 
 
6. (SBU) In an effort to combat the DRC's "negative image" with 
international travelers, it was announced recently that Interior 
Minister Kalume has ordered the reduction in security and customs 
services now functioning at all airports and border stations 
country-wide in an effort to both streamline operations and improve 
border security 
 
7. (SBU) In principal, the Congolese National Police Chief Inspector 
is now the coordinator of security services from the five designated 
agencies which include: Director General of Immigration (DGM), 
Customs and Taxation (OFIDA), Congolese Office of Control (OCC), the 
Airport Operations Authority (RVA) for N'djili and the National 
Office of Transportation (ONATRA) for Ngobila Beach.  Within these 
agencies "special services" operate, namely the National 
Intelligence Agency (ANR), the Military Agency for the Detection of 
Anti-Patriotic Activities (DEMIAP), the (nebulous) Agency for the 
Defense of Kinshasa (DIVK) whose function is not clearly known, and 
the Agency for Airport Security (ASA).  The overall security of the 
 
KINSHASA 00000496  002 OF 002 
 
 
airport remains under the authority of the Republican Guard, a 
component of the Congolese Army reporting to the Presidency. 
 
8. (SBU) Consular and other mission personnel often hear anecdotal 
accounts of the harassment of American and other travelers at the 
DRC's major ports of entry, and many have observed money changing 
hands to permit the passage of baggage and passengers who have not 
been screened by airport authorities. 
 
------------------------ 
DGM Crackdown in Katanga 
------------------------ 
 
9. (SBU) Lubumbashi, the capital of Katanga province, is the 
headquarters of many mining firms. In a recent Consular visit to the 
province, government officials commented there is a growing problem 
with illegal aliens, notably Chinese, Indian and Lebanese nationals, 
nearly all of whom are involved in some way with the mining sector. 
Among the most vociferous on this point were DGM officials, so it 
did not come as a surprise when reports began arriving of DGM's 
recent efforts to crack down on illegal aliens in Katanga province. 
 
10. (SBU) As noted in the warden message issued by Post on April 16, 
DGM officials have begun a targeted campaign to ensure that all 
foreigners are in compliance with existing immigration law and have 
the proper visa based upon their stated purpose of visiting or 
residing in the DRC.  This campaign began in Katanga province, but 
Post understands that it may be extended to all DRC provinces and 
would require all non-Congolese to present evidence of legal 
residence in the country.  While this effort would seem to have 
merit with respect to border security and is in accordance with 
local law and immigration regulation, Post has received reports of 
uneven enforcement, of "auxiliary" fines being imposed on foreigners 
not carrying their passports.  In recent discussions with the DGM 
Director, Post was assured that reported abuses by DGM personnel 
would be dealt with swiftly but the DGM also told us it is serious 
about this enforcement effort, primarily to combat what is perceived 
as growing illegal mining activity in the Katanga province. Note: 
Post has issued a new warden message to Americans living in or 
visiting the DRC alerting them to the possible increased enforcement 
of local immigration laws, aimed specifically at foreigners resident 
or temporarily present in the DRC. End note. 
 
11. (SBU) Comment. Post supports efforts to apply DRC immigration 
laws, and streamline operations at airports and border crossings in 
the DRC.  Although there have been no reports to date, the Deputy 
Director of the DGM has personally assured Post that all reported 
harassment of American citizens by DGM officials will be swiftly 
investigated and resolved. Despite this apparent renewed GDRC 
attention to immigration and border issues, however, security 
remains far below international standards. The fact remains that 
real border security is still an illusion in the DRC.  End comment. 
 
MEECE