ITURI: POSSIBLE UGANDAN SUPPORT TO MILITIAS; KARIM

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 002110

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/29/2015
TAGS: PGOV KPKO MOPS CG UG
SUBJECT: ITURI: POSSIBLE UGANDAN SUPPORT TO MILITIAS; KARIM
MAY BE WILLING TO SURRENDER

REF: A. KINSHASA 2012


B. KINSHASA 1998

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


1. (C) MONUC military commanders told PolOff December 28 that
a truck captured by the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC)
during operations in Nioka (reftel A) belongs to the Ugandan
military. MONUC officials said the truck, which was being
driven by three Ugandan civilians (later arrested),bore the
markings of the UPDF. MONUC officials said the vehicle was
used to deliver weapons from Uganda to militia forces of the
Congolese Revolutionary Movement (MRC) and would return with
illegal wood to sell across the border. When pressed, the
MONUC Ituri Deputy Brigade Commander told PolOff MONUC was
confident the truck was provided by the Ugandan military for
weapons transport. In addition, the same official said
ammunition and weapons caches seized in Operation Eden
arrived from Ugandan sources, mostly likely the military.


2. (C) MONUC sources also said MRC leader Peter Karim fled
fighting around Nioka December 25 and headed in the direction
of the Ugandan border. MONUC intelligence indicates Karim and
one of his bodyguards escaped in two different cars, but
their exact whereabouts are unknown. However, MONUC officials
say Karim, through intermediaries, is making overtures about
a possible surrender. According to MONUC military officials,
Karim wants to give himself up to MONUC forces, because he
fears if he is captured by the FARDC, he will be killed in
captivity. (Note: Karim's fears are legitimate, as FARDC
troops December 15 publicly mutilated and burned the body of
a captured MRC cadre in Mahagi. End note.)


3. (C) According to MONUC officials, Operations Eden and
Edifice have been successful endeavors. All major towns in
Ituri District are now under FARDC and MONUC control, with
only isolated pockets of militia resistance remaining.
Sources report MRC forces have been completely dispersed and
cut off from their supply routes. FRPI cadres near Boga are
reportedly dispirited and preparing to surrender as well.
MONUC officials said the FARDC is regrouping to chase down
remaining militia elements in the region and operations there
should last at least one more week. No further injuries or
deaths of either MONUC or FARDC forces have been reported
since December 25.
MEECE