Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KINSHASA1768
2006-11-20 16:00:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:  

ITURI UPDATE: GDRC SIGNS NEW DEAL WITH KARIM, WITH

Tags:  PGOV KPKO CG UG 
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PP RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #1768 3241600
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 201600Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5192
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001768 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/20/2016
TAGS: PGOV KPKO CG UG
SUBJECT: ITURI UPDATE: GDRC SIGNS NEW DEAL WITH KARIM, WITH
POSSIBLE AMNESTY PROVISION

REF: A. KINSHASA 1165

B. KINSHASA 1767

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

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001768

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/20/2016
TAGS: PGOV KPKO CG UG
SUBJECT: ITURI UPDATE: GDRC SIGNS NEW DEAL WITH KARIM, WITH
POSSIBLE AMNESTY PROVISION

REF: A. KINSHASA 1165

B. KINSHASA 1767

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


1. (C) Summary: The GDRC has signed a follow-up agreement
with Ituri militia leader Peter Karim aimed at accelerating
the demobilization and surrender of his Front for National
Integration (FNI) forces. The latest deal promises the FNI
will begin disarming by November 27, but stipulates that an
amnesty agreement for Karim and his militia must be
"formalized" first. The new agreement will only be effective
if the GDRC agrees to abide by this amnesty clause. End
summary.


2. (C) The GDRC and Ituri District militia leader Peter Karim
have reached a follow-up agreement aimed at accelerating
demobilization and surrender of his Front for National
Integration (FNI) militia. The agreement was signed in the
Ituri village of Doi by Karim and presidential adviser
Alexandre Mwarabu, as well as MONUC military chief of staff
General Christian Houdet as official observer. Karim signed a
previous official disarmament agreement July 13 (ref A),but
has yet to send any of his militia forces to demobilization
sites.


3. (C) The deal is similar to the one agreed to by Mathieu
Ngudjolo and the Congolese Revolutionary Movement November 16
(ref B). Karim and his militia's leadership will conduct a
civic education campaign aimed at convincing militia forces
to surrender. Karim and the FNI are to designate two liaison
officers to work jointly with the Congolese Armed Forces
(FARDC) in Ituri. The Congolese military is charged with
providing transport to the FNI members engaged in this work.
Unlike the Ngudjolo accord, the GDRC will not be giving Karim
money to conduct the civic education campaign.


4. (C) As with Ngudjolo, Karim's deal includes a stipulation
concerning an amnesty agreement. The final point of the
latest agreement calls for the "necessity to formalize
amnesty," again urging the withdrawal of international arrest
warrants.


5. (C) MONUC military officials said Karim's FNI militia has
between 1,000 and 1,800 members who could report for
disarmament. They are expected to begin surrendering November
27 at a site in Kwandroma, approximately 55 miles northeast
of Bunia. Weapons will be collected during this regrouping
phase and put under the control of the FARDC. MONUC military
chief of staff General Christian Houdet said transport of
militia members to the site will be facilitated by both MONUC
and the FARDC. Child protection services will also be
established at the demobilization camp for surrendering child
soldiers.


6. (C) Comment: Karim will not disband his militia without
first receiving a formal amnesty agreement, and the GDRC has
thus far been unwilling to grant this request, even though it
has agreed to it in principle in previous negotiations.
Karim's militia will likely continue to operate and menace
the region's security until the amnesty question is finally
resolved. End comment.
MEECE