ITURI UPDATE: FRPI ATTACKS FARDC POSITIONS, BUT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 001574

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/12/2016
TAGS: PGOV KPKO CG
SUBJECT: ITURI UPDATE: FRPI ATTACKS FARDC POSITIONS, BUT
MAKES OVERTURES TOWARDS DISARMING


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


1. (C) Summary: A series of clashes between the Congolese
military and the Patriotic Force of Resistance in Ituri
(FRPI) militia has heightened security concerns in the
southern part of Ituri District. Two Bangladeshi MONUC
peacekeepers were wounded in the latest round of fighting,
which resulted in the deaths of at least a dozen militia
members, reportedly including several top commanders. While
other Ituri militia groups have signaled their willingness to
disarm, the FRPI has until now demonstrated no intention of
doing so. The militia's recent military losses, however, may
be forcing it to rethink its position and accept the
disarmament process. End summary.


2. (C) Early in the morning of October 7, members from Cobra
Matata's FRPI militia launched an attack on positions of the
Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) around Avi Heights, near the
town of Aveba (approximately 28 miles south of Bunia).
According to MONUC military reports, a firefight broke out
between the two sides around 6:30am, and FARDC commanders
soon called upon a nearby MONUC battalion for assistance.
During the battle, the MONUC troops directed mortar fire on
the militia positions, and two Bangladeshi peacekeepers were
slightly wounded by gunfire. FARDC officers reported they
recovered the bodies of at least 12 killed militia members,
and said several dozen more were wounded during the attack.
MONUC Ituri Brigade Commander General Mahboob Haider Kahn
said among the dead were FRPI sub-commander Yuda, along with
several other lower-ranking officers of the militia. Kahn
said the situation as of October 11 remains under control.


3. (C) The October 7 incident follows another firefight
between the FARDC and the FRPI near the village of Singo
(approximately 37 miles south of Bunia) on October 1. FARDC
Ituri Operations Commander General Mbuayama Nsiona said the
incident in Singo began as an internal battle between two
factions of the FRPI -- one led by Matata, the other by Yuda
-- over control of a local gold mine. Nsiona said the FARDC
troops intervened to try to stop the fighting. Ultimately,
the FARDC captured the area, which had fallen under militia
control some three weeks earlier. The fighting, which lasted
some 14 hours according to MONUC military reports, killed
three FARDC soldiers, and as many as a dozen FRPI militia
members. The FARDC reported another seven of its soldiers
were wounded during the battle.


4. (C) General Mahboob said the FRPI likely attacked the
positions near Aveba and Singo so as to control access and
supply routes towards the Similiki area near the border with
Uganda on Lake Albert. He added that the Singo gold mine can
help the FRPI purchase supplies across the border. Mahboob
said that corridor has long been suspected of being a main
resupply route for weapons and materiel coming from outside
Ituri District.


5. (C) The recent firefights with the FRPI appear to have
resulted in a change in position of the militia regarding
disarmament. Acting MONUC-Bunia Head of Office Peter
Swarbrick said FRPI President Emile Muhito contacted MONUC
Eastern Division headquarters in Kisangani October 10 to
re-establish contact with MONUC and to discuss the
demobilization of the militia. (Note: Muhito had previously
entered the militia disarmament program in Bunia several
months ago, but then mysteriously disappeared from the
transit camp in July. It was believed, as now been proven
correct, that Muhito left the camp to rejoin the FRPI in the
bush. End note.) General Mahboob said the likely explanation
for this renewed contact stems from the death of Yuda, who
was adamantly opposed to disarmament, causing a rift in the
upper ranks of the FRPI. Mahboob added that the military
losses in Aveba and Singo have put the militia in complete
disarray.


6. (C) Comment: The overture made by the FRPI with regard to
disarmament is not likely to receive any substantive response
from the GDRC, which has shown no inclination to resolve
Ituri's militia problem. With elections quickly approaching,
top ministers being replaced, and a new government to be
installed in December, there has been no coordination at the
highest levels to disarm these remaining militia. Muhito's
comments notwithstanding, the FRPI is likely only trying to
buy time to regroup and rearm. The attacks on Aveba and Singo
were strategic, aimed at bolstering their positions for
possible future operations. Even if the FRPI offer to
demobilize is sincere, the GDRC will likely let this

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opportunity slip away. End summary.
DOUGHERTY