CONFIRMED SOUTH KIVU MASSACRE BY RASTA/FDLR

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001690 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/10/2015 TAGS: PGOV PHUM KPKO CG SUBJECT: CONFIRMED SOUTH KIVU MASSACRE BY RASTA/FDLR Classified By: PolOff TJNaber, reason 1.4d. ¶1. (C) Rasta/FDLR elements massacred 15 people in Kanyola, South Kivu on October 10, according to MONUC poloff. (Note: We believe the Rasta to be a radical creation of the FDLR. End note.) Two women and six children were among the dead. A FARDC patrol not far from Kanyola originally reported the massacre. MONUC's South Kivu Brigade confirmed the massacre to MONUC in Bukavu and Kinshasa. ¶2. (C) Per MONUC, Rasta/FDLR claimed responsibility for the attack, citing the offensive against them by FARDC as justification. They did not mention MONUC's cooperation with the FARDC. According to MONUC poloff, the FDLR is unable to confront FARDC directly given that its forces are supported by MONUC. Instead, they retaliate against civilian populations in order to discourage GDRC action and to intimidate their opponents. MEECE