INTRA-FDLR FIGHTING IN EASTERN DRC

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001100

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPKO CG
SUBJECT: INTRA-FDLR FIGHTING IN EASTERN DRC

REF: A) KINSHASA 1099 B) KINSHASA 1091 C)
MEECE/FELLOWS JULY 6 TELCON

Classified By: Ambassador Roger Meece. Reason 1.4 (b/d).


1. (C) MONUC and GDRC sources report fighting between FDLR
units in eastern DRC. In a July 6 meeting, Presidency
Special Advisor for Security Samba Kaputo told the
Ambassadors/Charges of the U.S., Belgium, and Holland and UN
SRSG Swing that fighting had apparently started around 1730
hrs (local) on July 5, and had continued through the 6th.


2. (C) Kaputo characterized the fighting as a strike by FDLR
hard-liners seeking to derail efforts by FDLR South Division
commander Colonel Amani to organize peaceful repatriation of
a number of FDLR combatants to Rwanda. Kaputo indicated that
the FDLR general headquarters is controlled by "radicals" led
by General Mudkumura who have no interest in seeing the
recent FDLR-stated commitment to repatriation implemented.
They therefore launched the attack against Amani and his
supporters. Kaputo indicated that GDRC information as of
late July 5 suggested that Amani had the upper hand in the
fighting.


3. (C) As of July 5, no/no GDRC nor MONUC forces were
involved in the combat. SRSG Swing confirmed to the
Ambassador that the reported intra-FDLR fighting is not
related to the recently-launched MONUC Falcon Sweep operation
in South Kivu (ref A). Likewise, Kaputo said that there are
no FARDC forces involved, although he noted that civilians
are inevitably being affected, and that elements from the
South Kivu-based 10th military district are being sent to the
area of the fighting to try to ensure civilians are protected
to the extent possible.


4. (C) Asked directly about the scale of the fighting, Kaputo
said that he had no information indicating the number of
combatants involved on either side. Kaputo did stress that
an Amani defeat by the opposing FDLR forces would represent a
significant setback, ensuring that other FDLR combatants
inclined toward repatriation would be intimidated into
pulling back. Conversely, a clear Amani victory would
presumably strengthen his hand.


5. (C) MONUC political officers confirmed that it appeared in
recent days that Amani had been preparing to lead what seemed
to be a significant number of FDLR followers to repatriate.
Amani has been a primary recent focus of GDRC efforts to
promote FDLR repatriation following the apparent failure of
the GDRC/Sant, Egidio Rome initiative involving
European-based FDLR leaders to produce results. Amani was
reportedly the moving force behind the recent FDLR field
statement reiterating support for peaceful repatriation
reported (ref B). Septel will report in further detail the
current GDRC thinking and plans regarding the FDLR.


6. (C) Comment: Kaputo invariably provides spin to his
information, and the account he provides neatly aligns with
his recent reported efforts targeting Amani to promote FDLR
repatriation. Clashes among FDLR units could also be related
to recent internal FDLR so-called elections, and rivalries
that the exercise may have produced. Nonetheless, this is
the first time anyone here can recall of reported internal
FDLR fighting, and it clearly represents a qualitatively new
factor in the situation. Insofar as Amani is interested in
pursuing repatriation and able to take significant numbers
with him, he would indeed be a threat to FDLR hard-line
interests. End comment.








MEECE