NORTH KIVU UPDATE: SITUATION TENSE BUT UNDER

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001803 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/29/2016 TAGS: PGOV KPKO MOPS CG SUBJECT: NORTH KIVU UPDATE: SITUATION TENSE BUT UNDER CONTROL REF: A. KINSHASA 1795 ¶B. KINSHASA 1787 Classified By: PolOff CBrown, reasons 1.4 b/d. ¶1. (C) Summary: The North Kivu town of Sake remains under the combined control of the Congolese military (FARDC) and MONUC peacekeepers as of November 29. A MONUC military official described the situation as fluid and tense, but under control. Small skirmishes erupted between elements of the non-integrated 81st and 83rd Brigades and the 11th and 14th Integrated Brigades (IBs) of the FARDC. MONUC peacekeepers also fired on troops of the 81st and 83rd in defense of positions in Sake. A GDRC delegation in Goma has drafted a proposal for a "dialogue" between the GDRC and forces loyal to renegade General Laurent Nkunda. End summary. ¶2. (U) MONUC military spokesman Major Ajay Dalal told us November 29 the situation in Sake, 15 miles northwest of the North Kivu capital of Goma, was fluid and tense but under control. MONUC Indian peacekeepers are stationed in Sake town to control movements and overall security. Elements of the 11th and 14th IBs are stationed in and around Sake after having abandoned their positions during fighting with the 81st and 83rd Brigades November 25-27. ¶3. (U) Dalal said firing between the 14th IB and non-integrated Congolese forces resumed around 0900 local time November 28 near the largest hill overlooking Sake, dubbed "Celtel Hill" for the transmission tower located there. The top-most part of the hill was lost to the 83rd Brigade by mid morning, and the 14th IB retreated to a lower position. Dalal said by 1500, the 14th IB had regrouped and mounted an attack on the 83rd, retaking control of the hill. ¶4. (U) A firefight also broke out November 28 just north of Sake in the village of Kimoka between the integrated and non-integrated brigades. Dalal said no ground was gained or lost in these skirmishes. ¶5. (U) MONUC peacekeepers remain in Sake town and have authorization to fire on any belligerents who threaten its security. MONUC attack helicopters and ground troops fired on elements of the 81st and 83rd Brigades November 28 to prevent any advances on Sake or in response to hostile fire. ¶6. (U) Dalal, who visited Sake November 28, said the town is generally deserted. He said that there has been continuous movement of "a few thousand" displaced persons back and forth between Sake and Goma, mostly people returning home to retrieve belongings. Dalal described Goma as calm. MONUC has established defensive positions throughout the city. ¶7. (C) A GDRC delegation led by Interior Minister Denis Kalume and Defense Minister Tharcisse Habarugira, together with DSRSG Haile Menkarios, visited Sake November 28 to assess the situation. They met with local political and military officials and drew up a draft proposal for a "dialogue" between the GDRC and "Nkunda loyalists." The draft calls for the immediate cessation of hostilities and separation of forces, to be monitored by MONUC; unimpeded humanitarian access to facilitate the return of IDPs; written grievances from Nkunda and his supporters presented to the GDRC and the FARDC command by December 10; a meeting between the delegation and Nkunda representatives December 10 in North Kivu at a location yet to be determined. Dalal told us the delegation plans to return to Sake November 29, possibly with the intent of delivering this proposal to commanders of the 81st and 83rd Brigades. ¶8. (U) MONUC reported that the funeral of Musafiri Mayogi was held in Gisenyi, just across the border in Rwanda November ¶28. Mayogi, believed to be an Nkunda supporter, was the man killed by Congolese police November 24 near Sake, whose death set off the recent fighting. MEECE