FARDC ENGAGES HEAVILY ARMED MILITIAS IN ITURI

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 002102

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/27/2015
TAGS: PGOV KPKO MOPS CG UG
SUBJECT: FARDC ENGAGES HEAVILY ARMED MILITIAS IN ITURI

REF: KINSHASA 1998

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


1. (C) The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo
(FARDC),with air and other logistical support from MONUC
troops, launched Operation Eden December 21 against militia
elements in the northeastern Ituri District. MONUC sources
report operations are being directed against the Congolese
Revolutionary Movement (MRC) and forces led by militia leader
Peter Karim in the area of Fataki. A second offensive,
Operation Edifice, was simultaneously launched against
militia elements of the Patriotic Force of Resistance in
Ituri (FRPI) near Boga, also in Ituri. MONUC officials said
they expect fighting to last at least a couple of weeks. The
aim of the operations is to eliminate the continuing presence
of local militias and to kill or capture militia leaders in
the region. (Note: The two Ituri operations are in addition
to a separate operation against ADF/NALU currently taking
place in North Kivu and being reported septel. End note.)


2. (C) MONUC's head of office in Bunia said resistance from
Karim's forces has been particularly fierce in several days
of fighting against FARDC troops. Reports from the field
indicate militias are using rocket launchers and other heavy
military equipment against government forces. MONUC sources
said Karim is fighting harder because recent FARDC operations
against his troops have significantly weakened his ability to
conduct illegal cross-border trade for weapons and money.


3. (C) MONUC officials reported that FARDC troops captured
the Karim stronghold of Nioka (about 50 miles north of Bunia)
on December 25. FARDC and MONUC troops are now chasing
dispersed militia elements toward the Ugandan border and have
taken control of the territory. During the fighting at Nioka,
the FARDC captured two of Karim's bodyguards. MONUC officials
said they are awaiting their transfer to Bunia for
interrogation. Karim himself, according to MONUC sources,
reportedly fled Nioka toward the border.


4. (C) The MRC is also believed to be receiving military
assistance from Uganda. MONUC sources said the presence of
heavy equipment indicated the MRC is getting arms from
external sources. In addition, a cache of ammunition
recovered from an MRC camp near the Ugandan border is
reported to have a Ugandan flag on it. MONUC officials are
awaiting further verification of the bag's origins and
contents. The FARDC also captured a truck carrying tropical
wood during its operations, and arrested three Ugandan
civilians who were transporting the material.


5. (C) In Boga, FRPI elements have posed less of a military
challenge, according to MONUC. The FARDC, backed by
Bangladeshi and Moroccan peacekeepers, have established total
area domination in the area and are pursuing militia remnants
as well. FRPI militias have reportedly fled into the forests
to escape fighting and to regroup.


6. (C) To date, 11 FARDC soldiers have been killed in the
fighting -- nine in operations around Boga, one near Fataki,
and another during operations in Nioka. MONUC officials
cannot give precise numbers as to the number of militia
killed, but estimate several dozens have likely died.


7. (C) Comment: Even though Operations Eden and Edifice were
postponed so as not to disrupt the December 18 constitutional
referendum, the operations indicate the FARDC's continued
desire and ability to deal with the security threat posed by
militias in Ituri. The MRC and Peter Karim are among the last
major threats to establishing peace in the region, and their
capability to threaten local populations has deteriorated as
the FARDC, backed by MONUC, has taken the fight to them.
However, reports of more heavily armed militias is worrisome,
as it will test the resolve of FARDC forces who have thus far
encountered opponents who are less well-equipped. In
addition, if reports of assistance from Uganda are proven
true, it will undoubtedly exacerbate already tense relations
between the GDRC and GOU. End comment.
MEECE