SITREP 15: KINSHASA FIGHTING (8/22 13:30 LOCAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001330 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2016 TAGS: PGOV ASEC CASC KPKO CG SUBJECT: SITREP 15: KINSHASA FIGHTING (8/22 13:30 LOCAL TIME) REF: KINSHASA 1329 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: ECONOFF W. BRAFMAN FOR REASONS 1.4 B/D. ¶1. (C) CIAT Ambassadors began their meeting with President Kabila at the President's riverside residence/office at around noon local time, after convoying with security provided by MONUC. ¶2. (C) A Dutch diplomat told EconOff that his Embassy's security firm reported that the situation around Boulevard 30 Juin has "deteriorated" and that the security firm's armored car was shot at "with heavy weaponry" in the vicinity. The diplomat also said that some GSSP forces have reinforced their positions at N'Djili airport. German EUFOR soldiers are also reportedly en route to the DRC from Gabon, according to the same Dutch contact. ¶3. (C) The Minister of Interior told PolCouns that MLC elements shelled the Ministry of Interior with mortars; the Minister was not inside the building at the time. The building adjacent to the Ministry is reportedly on fire, and ministry officials are trying to save vehicles that the South African government donated. ¶4. (C) Post has received unconfirmed reports of militia movements in the Masina neighborhood. Neither Congolese police nor military can confirm the presence of such troops. ¶5. (C) Per MONUC air operations administration, MONUC has suspended its Kinshasa air operations, which are based adjacent to N'Djili airport. ¶6. (C) Pol LES reports that some stores in the Lemba neighborhood of Kinshasa are being looted, and there were reports of "GSSP" elements breaking into apartments in a Gombe apartment building on Boulevard 30 Juin. ¶7. (C) General Numbi reported to PolOff around 1300 that he has set up a coordination mechanism with MONUC, EUFOR and FARDC to work on a plan to pull back all forces. MEECE