Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05KINSHASA1072
2005-06-29 14:57:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:  

ITURI MILITIAS REPORTEDLY OBTAINING ARMS AND

Tags:  PGOV KPKO PHUM PREL MOPS UG CG 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001072 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/28/2015
TAGS: PGOV KPKO PHUM PREL MOPS UG CG
SUBJECT: ITURI MILITIAS REPORTEDLY OBTAINING ARMS AND
TRAINING FROM UGANDA


Classified By: Poloff Gons Nachman for Reasons 1.4 B and D

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001072

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/28/2015
TAGS: PGOV KPKO PHUM PREL MOPS UG CG
SUBJECT: ITURI MILITIAS REPORTEDLY OBTAINING ARMS AND
TRAINING FROM UGANDA


Classified By: Poloff Gons Nachman for Reasons 1.4 B and D


1. (C) Summary. Monuc and NGO officials in Ituri have
received credible reports of increased support for Ituri
militias from Ugandan businessmen and military officers in
the form of arms shipments, training, and efforts to build a
coalition of militias. Monuc officials point to recent
meetings in Kampala between militia leaders and Ugandan
elements, the apparent presence of Ugandan trainers in Ituri,
and the recent use of heavier weapons by militia as evidence
of this renewed support. End Summary.


2. (C) MONUC and NGO officials in Ituri have received reports
from multiple sources over the past several weeks pointing to
an alleged effort by Ugandan elements to form an alliance
among the remaining Ituri armed groups, particularly the
Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC),the Front for National
Integration (FNI),the Front for Patriotic Resistance in
Ituri (FRPI),and the Party for Unity and Safeguarding of the
Integrity of the Congo. Meetings between Ugandans and FNI
leaders have been alleged in Kampala on May 10, and among
PUSIC, FNI, and UPC leaders on June 12 and June 22.


3. (C) The Director of German Agro Action (AAA) (a German NGO
present in various parts of Ituri) said June 28 he had
received reports indicating the FRPI and PUSIC militias were
participating in a joint training in the use of heavy arms in
the area of Bavi, 40 kms SE of Bunia. According to him, the
militias are training with about 50 mortars brought from
Uganda via the Semliki River, next to the village of Tshabi.
The reports assert that Ugandan officers are conducting the
training. According to AAA's director, the use of a
significant number of mortars and rocket-propelled grenades
by FRPI militia against peacekeepers near Medu June 27 gives
credence to reports that this militia has received new arms
shipments from Uganda. (Note: Monuc notes that these
weaopns are definitely new to these militias, representing an
evolutionary, albeit negative, new element. End Note.)

Comment
--------------


4. (C) Monuc's robust actions in Ituri have reduced the
number of armed militia from an estimated 15,000 in 2003 to
as few as 1,000 now. Unfortunately, a smaller but
better-armed and trained element still poses a significant
security threat, as shown by recent military engagements
between MONUC forces and militias lasting several hours.
MEECE