FARDC LEADS MILITARY OPERATION IN SOUTH KIVU

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000341

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KPKO CG UN
SUBJECT: FARDC LEADS MILITARY OPERATION IN SOUTH KIVU


1. (SBU) For the first time, the Congolese military (FARDC)
has played the lead role in planning a joint MONUC-FARDC
mission against the FDLR in South Kivu. The FARDC Third
Integrated Brigade and the FARDC First Reserve Brigade
supplied the majority of the troops -- more than 1,000 to
MONUC's 300 -- for Operation South Sentinel, which began
February 26 in the Kahuzi Biega National Park sixty
kilometers north of Bukavu. MONUC also contributed
logistical support and combat helicopters to the operation.
As of March 1, according to MONUC POLOFF in Bukavu, nineteen
FARDC soldiers have been wounded and two killed. No FDLR
casualty numbers are available.


2. (SBU) This FARDC-MONUC operation aims to provide security
for the local population, push the FDLR from the area, and
re-establish government authority. In a series of MONUC-led
operations in South Kivu since July 2005, FARDC and MONUC
have moved against the FDLR in the territories of Walungu and
Kabare, South Kivu and destroyed 30 FDLR camps.


3. (SBU) A MONUC DDRRR team began conducting an intensive
education campaign in the area one week prior to the military
operations to encourage FDLR militia to disarm and be
repatriated voluntarily to Rwanda.
MEECE