Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05KINSHASA1950
2005-11-25 13:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:  

ITURI UPDATE: FARDC CONTINUES ATTACKS ON MILITIAS

Tags:  PGOV KPKO CG 
pdf how-to read a cable
This 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 001950 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/10/2015
TAGS: PGOV KPKO CG
SUBJECT: ITURI UPDATE: FARDC CONTINUES ATTACKS ON MILITIAS


Classified By: PolOff CBrown, reasons 1.4 b/d.

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001950

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/10/2015
TAGS: PGOV KPKO CG
SUBJECT: ITURI UPDATE: FARDC CONTINUES ATTACKS ON MILITIAS


Classified By: PolOff CBrown, reasons 1.4 b/d.


1. (C) Summary. The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic
of Congo (FARDC),with logistical support from MONUC troops,
are continuing their attacks on militia elements in Ituri and
are achieving more operational successes. However, a new
resurgence of MRC activity in the northern section of Ituri,
near Uganda, is causing villagers to flee in advance of
expected hostilities. MONUC sources say there will be
military operations against this militia group within the
next couple of days. End Summary.


2. (C) During the week of November 21, approximately 700
FARDC soldiers (with MONUC logistical support) conducted
search-and-cordon missions around the town of Kabaga, about
25 kilometers south of Bunia, to clean out the remnants of
the militia group Congolese Revolutionary Movement (MRC).
During several days of fighting, MONUC military officials
report that between 60-70 militia were killed, while one
FARDC soldier died. Officials say the operations dispersed
the remaining MRC cadres in that area and greatly disrupted
their movements. One MONUC official declared the operation as
another successful mission by the FARDC in confronting the
militia threat in Ituri. Troops in and around Kabaga are now
being moved to face challenges elsewhere in the district.


3. (C) At the same time, MONUC military officials report a
growing threat from MRC elements led by Peter Karim. MONUC
believes Karim's group, which has been concentrated recently
around the Fataki-Masikini area about 50 kilometers north of
Bunia, is being reinforced by the remnants of the Union for
Congolese Patriots/Lubanga (UPC/L). MONUC reports that
several meetings have taken place between the two groups
recently, and within the past week, Karim's soldiers have
been seen reinforcing their positions. MONUC also believes
Karim's group, estimated to be between 500-800 strong, is
reasonably well-armed, as there have been indications and
reports of military resupply efforts and quite a bit of small
arms trafficking near the border with Uganda.


4. (C) Karim, a former battalion commander with the Front for
National Integration, is part of a small group of hard-core
fighters who chose not to enter the demobilization process.
MONUC officials believe he is involved in the militia
movement more for economic than political reasons. Officials
say he is deeply involved in timber and mineral exploitation
in the region and trades illegally across the border with
Uganda in exchange for weapons and money.


5. (C) MONUC further reports that Karim's group has been
trying to secure a route from their base north towards the
Mahagi territory bordering Uganda. According to MONUC,
Karim's militia encountered November 22-23 some FARDC troops
patrolling north of the town of Nioka. Several firefights
broke out between the two groups, and one FARDC soldier has
been killed in the fighting; MONUC has no reliable reports of
militia deaths from these encounters. The FARDC has withdrawn
direct contact with Karim as there are only 100 of its forces
in the area at present. MONUC officials say Karim has
retreated south towards Nioka.


6. (C) In response, the FARDC (again with MONUC logistical
support) is planning military operations against Karim. MONUC
officials say operations will commence "in the next couple of
days." Currently, FARDC troops who completed the operations
in Kabaga are being transported north to the Mahagi
territory. MONUC officials report the level of forces the
FARDC will use will be "equal to the threat" being posed.


7. (C) As a result of the skirmishes between Karim and the
FARDC, in addition to exploitation by the militia, villagers
from Nioka have been reportedly fleeing south from the area
in significant numbers. MONUC officials could not say exactly
how many had fled thus far, but did report a marked increase
in the number of people evacuating the area during the past
week.


8. (C) Comment: Despite recent successes by FARDC and MONUC
in Ituri, there is growing discontent among the local
population that not enough is being done to protect them.
Repeated displacements due to militia attacks, plus frequent
preying on the local economies by the militias, is fueling
anti-MONUC sentiment in particular, according to one MONUC
source. But as events in Kabaga and elsewhere demonstrate,
FARDC and MONUC are getting closer to breaking the back of
the militia movement and establishing peace in the Ituri
region. End Comment.
DOUGHERTY