FIGHTING IN ITURI BREAKS UP A MILITIA CELL

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001903

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/17/2015
TAGS: PGOV MARR KPKO CG
SUBJECT: FIGHTING IN ITURI BREAKS UP A MILITIA CELL


Classified By: PolCouns MSanderson, reasons 1.4 (b),(d).


1. (C) About half of a 3,000-man strong FARDC detachment, all
elements of the First Integrated Brigade, backed by two MONUC
attack helicopters and with MONUC logistical assistance,
engaged elements of the Revolutionary Congolese Movement
(MRC) November 14-16 in the southeast corner of Orientale
province near Lake Albert. No MONUC soldiers were killed or
injured in the fighting; 3 FARDC soldiers were killed and 15
injured, and 15-20 MRC militia were killed. (Note: The MRC
is a coalition of surviving elements of the UPC Bosco and
Kakilawe militias which announced its formation several
months ago in Kampala, and has been operating extensively in
the southeast of Orientale province. MONUC believes this
group has been trafficking arms from Rwanda across Lake
Albert. End Note.) MONUC estimates that at least 100 MRC
militia escaped across Lake Albert by small boat, heading for
Rwanda.


2. (C) Comment: This operation is part of an ongoing
FARDC/MONUC effort to break the series of MRC cells that have
been established in this part of Orientale province. The
cells seem to have different but related missions; the MRC
cell targeted by this mission, for instance, appears to have
been mainly responsible for arms trafficking across Lake
Albert, while other cells apparently are responsible for
trying to make contact with NALU elements in the northern
part of neighboring North Kivu province, and still others
attack small villages with the apparent intent of spreading
instability and creating significant numbers of internally
displaced persons. MONUC believes that this week's operation
has, at least temporarily, broken up the MRC cell which had
been trafficking arms. If true, this could in turn affect the
operational capability of the remaining elements of the MRC.
DOUGHERTY