ITURI: FARDC AND MONUC SEAL OFF BUNIA FROM MILITIAS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000435

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/14/2016
TAGS: PGOV KPKO MOPS CG UG
SUBJECT: ITURI: FARDC AND MONUC SEAL OFF BUNIA FROM MILITIAS

REF: A. KINSHASA 411


B. KINSHASA 359

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


1. (C) The Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC),with support from
MONUC peacekeepers, have sealed off Bunia to prevent the
infiltration of militia forces into the city. Following the
cessation of Operation Ituri Engraver (reftels),militias
have continued sporadic attacks against the FARDC and MONUC
positions in Ituri. The Ituri militias have since been
expanding their areas of operations to locations just south
of Bunia. An internal MONUC planning document reports that
militia forces have begun infiltrating the Kendia and
Simbiliyabo quarters of Bunia. MONUC reports that sources
have witnessed militia heading from Zumbe, Medu and Mandro
(all approximately 15km south-southeast of Bunia),seeking to
mix in among the civilian population. In response, the FARDC
have cordoned off Bunia, while MONUC and Congolese police
begin search-and-cordon operations in the area.


2. (C) Ituri District Commissioner Petronille Vaweka
confirmed to PolOff March 14 that Bunia had been sealed off
by MONUC and FARDC troops. Vaweka said, however, that she did
not believe Bunia was being threatened by the "infiltration"
of militias. She said the militias have been living and
hiding in Bunia for more than 10 years, and receive
substantial support from the local population. Vaweka said
cordoning off Bunia would have little effect on preventing
militia movements.


3. (C) Vaweka added that the biggest problem currently facing
the local government is the influx of displaced persons in
Bunia as a result of recent fighting. Vaweka said the city of
Bunia was being "overrun" by IDPs, many of whom are seeking
shelter with family members. Vaweka estimated there are
perhaps 5,000 IDPs within Bunia's city limits. According to
MONUC-Bunia, the UN Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that approximately 12,000
IDPs have registered with the agency, and most have found
shelter in public schools, churches, and host families.


4. (C) Internal MONUC documents also contain reports that
other militia groups, notably the Congolese Revolutionary
Movement (MRC),is recruiting children in Lipri, Nyakunde,
Loga, Zumbe, Mandro, Ezekele and Kambutso (all north of
Bunia). MONUC sources also report having seen children in
former militia training camps in Loga.


5. (C) Militias are continuing their attacks on MONUC and
FARDC troops that began with the suspension of Ituri
Engraver. Militia forces attacked March 12-13 MONUC and FARDC
positions at several locations in Ituri. On the night of
March 12, militias reportedly tried to advance on a post of
Moroccan peacekeepers in Bogoro. MONUC reports that the
Moroccan sentries detected the movement and opened fire on
the militia, who subsequently fled the area. On the morning
of March 13, militias fired upon FARDC and MONUC Bangladeshi
troops in the Khajana area. After a 10-minute exchange of
fire, the militia fled to the southeast. Later that
afternoon, militias conducted firefights on FARDC positions
south of Khajana and west of Kagaba. Again, militia troops
fled when counterattacked.


6. (C) MONUC also reports that Ituri militias are receiving
arms and ammunition from Ugandan sources. According to
MONUC-Bunia Head of Office Sharouh Sharif, the Ugandan-backed
MRC is supplying weapons to militias in Tchei. Arms are being
brought to the area from Uganda through Semiliki, Boguma and
Boga (approximately 50km south of Bunia). In addition, FARDC
9th Military Region Commander Gen. Padiri Bulenda reportedly
told MONUC that ex-Union of Patriotic Congolese (UPC) Chief
of Staff Bosco Ntaganda recently left North Kivu and moved to
the Tchei area. MONUC has not been able to independently
confirm this allegation.


7. (C) Comment: The suspension of military operations in
Ituri has allowed militias to rearm and regroup. The influx
of IDPs into Bunia will place more burdens on the local
government, which is already unable to provide basic
services. Cross-border arms trafficking, if accurate and
allowed to continue, will exacerbate the militia threat. In
addition, the delay by the FARDC to reinforce its own troops
after the March 1 Aveba mutiny again demonstrates the
inability of the national army to operate independent of
MONUC assistance. Meanwhile, as elections approach and MONUC
becomes more engaged in securing and transporting election

KINSHASA 00000435 002 OF 002


materials, the more difficult it will be for peacekeepers to
confront the militia threat and prevent it from spilling over
into other provinces. End comment.
MEECE