NORTH KIVU UPDATE: SITUATION CALM, NEGOTIATIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001889 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2016 TAGS: MOPS KPKO CG SUBJECT: NORTH KIVU UPDATE: SITUATION CALM, NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE REF: KINSHASA 1877 Classified By: PolOff TJNaber, reasons 1.4 b/d. ¶1. (C) Behind-the-scenes negotiations with forces loyal to renegade General Laurent Nkunda continued December 19 (reftel). According to MONUC, FARDC 8th Military Region Commander General Ngizo organized a meeting with Nkunda-loyalist 81st and 83rd Brigade battalion commanders at Kilolirwe. Ngizo planned to visit injured soldiers from the brigades in the hospital and to resolve problems related to their integration into the FARDC and to pay salary arrears. He declined MONUC assistance or presence. ¶2. (C) While negotiations continued, FARDC Land Forces Commander General Amisi prepared for possible military action. He informed MONUC North Kivu Brigade Commander General Behl December 19 that the FARDC was planning military operations to dislodge 83rd Brigade pro-Nkunda forces near Runyoni. Behl reportedly cautioned Amisi against a dual approach of launching operations while continuing to negotiate. Behl had offered the same advice to FARDC Chief of Staff General Kisempia at a December 18 meeting. Kisempia reportedly told Behl he intended to pursue a "politico-military approach" simultaneously. ¶3. (C) Behl estimated Nkunda's current strength at 2,000 soldiers. Behl told Kisempia that he believed Nkunda was negotiating because of logistical constraints, desertions, and a loss of popular support. MONUC reported that an additional 22 soldiers of the 83rd Brigade surrendered to FARDC 8th Military Region forces from December 15-17. ¶4. (C) Comment: Continued FARDC military pressure on Nkunda loyalists, coupled with multi-track negotiations, show that the GDRC's determination to solve the Nkunda problem, whether by a negotiated settlement or by an imposed one. End comment. DOUGHERTY