Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05KINSHASA1519
2005-09-20 13:59:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:
ALLEGATIONS OF LRA ENTRY INTO DRC
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001519
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/20/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR CG UG UPUO
SUBJECT: ALLEGATIONS OF LRA ENTRY INTO DRC
Classified By: PolCouns MSanderson, reasons 1.4 b/d.
C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001519
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/20/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR CG UG UPUO
SUBJECT: ALLEGATIONS OF LRA ENTRY INTO DRC
Classified By: PolCouns MSanderson, reasons 1.4 b/d.
1. (C) Some press reports indicated September 20 that the
GOU alleges that elements of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA)
have fled into the northeastern part of Orientale province in
the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In response to these
articles, PolCouns spoke September 20 to MONUC's military
headquarters in Kisangani. General Camaert's Chief of Staff
told PolCouns that Camaert had already authorized two
helicopters to be diverted from delivering elections
registration kits to overfly the areas of the supposed
penetration. MONUC hopes to have an initial report no later
than September 21, confirming or denying the alleged LRA
presence. MONUC also is dispatching ground troops from its
contingent based at Aru (the closest city in Orientale
province to the possible penetration site). This mission will
include a FARDC component.
2. (C) PolCouns also spoke to Congolese Minister of Defense
Adolphe Onusumba (currently in Western Kasai province where
he is registering to vote). Onusumba had not yet been
informed of the possible presence of LRA elements but said he
would be in touch with his headquarters, and confirmed that
he supports FARDC participation in the proposed MONUC
mission. He also told PolCouns that he believes that the LRA
leader might have been trying to get in touch by phone, but
he, Onusumba, did not take the calls.
3. (C) Comment: Given recent saber-rattling by Ugandan
President Museveni, both MONUC and the Congolese are taking
seriously anything which might serve as a pretext for the
entry of Ugandan military forces into eastern Congo. Museveni
has been threatening to send troops in search of ADF elements
in Orientale province, but has been discouraged from doing
so. We will follow up with both MONUC and the Congolese to
find out what the air and ground missions discover.
MEECE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/20/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR CG UG UPUO
SUBJECT: ALLEGATIONS OF LRA ENTRY INTO DRC
Classified By: PolCouns MSanderson, reasons 1.4 b/d.
1. (C) Some press reports indicated September 20 that the
GOU alleges that elements of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA)
have fled into the northeastern part of Orientale province in
the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In response to these
articles, PolCouns spoke September 20 to MONUC's military
headquarters in Kisangani. General Camaert's Chief of Staff
told PolCouns that Camaert had already authorized two
helicopters to be diverted from delivering elections
registration kits to overfly the areas of the supposed
penetration. MONUC hopes to have an initial report no later
than September 21, confirming or denying the alleged LRA
presence. MONUC also is dispatching ground troops from its
contingent based at Aru (the closest city in Orientale
province to the possible penetration site). This mission will
include a FARDC component.
2. (C) PolCouns also spoke to Congolese Minister of Defense
Adolphe Onusumba (currently in Western Kasai province where
he is registering to vote). Onusumba had not yet been
informed of the possible presence of LRA elements but said he
would be in touch with his headquarters, and confirmed that
he supports FARDC participation in the proposed MONUC
mission. He also told PolCouns that he believes that the LRA
leader might have been trying to get in touch by phone, but
he, Onusumba, did not take the calls.
3. (C) Comment: Given recent saber-rattling by Ugandan
President Museveni, both MONUC and the Congolese are taking
seriously anything which might serve as a pretext for the
entry of Ugandan military forces into eastern Congo. Museveni
has been threatening to send troops in search of ADF elements
in Orientale province, but has been discouraged from doing
so. We will follow up with both MONUC and the Congolese to
find out what the air and ground missions discover.
MEECE