ITURI: INSECURITY ON THE RISE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000478 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/22/2016 TAGS: PGOV KPKO MOPS CG UG SUBJECT: ITURI: INSECURITY ON THE RISE REF: KINSHASA 442 Classified By: PolOff CBrown, reasons 1.4 b/d. ¶1. (C) Summary: The security situation in the DRC's northeastern Ituri District is worsening as various militia groups continue their attacks on the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) and MONUC troops. Elements of the Patriotic Front for Resistance in Ituri (FRPI) and the Congolese Revolutionary Movement (MRC) have in the last week engaged in fighting in locations north and south of Bunia, and temporarily seized control of several small towns. The FRPI and MRC have reportedly begun recruiting new members among the local population, and are beginning to reinforce each other's positions militarily. In response, the FARDC and MONUC troops have launched new cordon-and-search operations, while both wait for the transfer of FARDC reinforcements to the region. End summary. -------------- - MILITIAS CONTINUE TO ATTACK, REGROUP AND REARM -------------- - ¶2. (C) According to internal MONUC situation reports, Ituri militias are firing repeatedly on FARDC and MONUC positions. On the night of March 16, FRPI militia attacked FARDC troops in Khajana (approximately 25km south of Bunia) and Pakistani peacekeepers in Kagaba (30km from Bunia). In both instances, FARDC and MONUC forces returned fire, reportedly causing a "significant" number of casualties among the militia. From March 19-21, MONUC exchanged fire again with FRPI elements in the Kagaba-Khajana area. In the wake of the fighting, the militia abandoned their positions and fled. ¶3. (C) MRC militia attacked the lakeside village of Kafe March 18, temporarily gaining control of the area from the FARDC. MONUC reports the militia burned the FARDC camp there. MRC elements also attacked the FARDC in the areas of Tche and Tchomia the same day. FARDC commanders reported their forces had regained control of these regions by March 19, and had dispatched 30 troops to secure Kafe. ¶4. (C) To prevent the further spread of militia activity, MONUC and the FARDC have initiated joint cordon-and-search operations throughout Ituri. As reported reftel, MONUC and FARDC troops began searches in the city of Bunia March 14. Joint patrols were reinforced in the Mudzipela quarter of Bunia March 17. MONUC and the FARDC also launched cordon-and-search operations March 20 in the Nioka-Dhera area against elements of the MRC. ¶5. (C) Internal MONUC reports point to increased recruiting activity by the Ituri militias. MRC militia leader Mathieu Ngudjolo was seen March 20 in Loga (25km from Bunia) recruiting militia members. MONUC sources also report that militias have been seen recruiting civilians in Walu and Balazana. NGO partners in Ituri have made similar reports, adding that many ex-combatants are being lured back into their former militias. ¶6. (C) MONUC and other local sources said the militias have been rearming while MONUC-FARDC offensive operations are on hold. MONUC reports that weapons continue to be transported from Uganda through the Semiliki-Boguma-Gethy corridor. Local sources said militias have been spotted moving to Kasenyi and Tchomia, reportedly to receive delivery of arms shipments via Lake Albert. In addition, according to MONUC sources, elements of the MRC have moved to Irumu territory in southern Ituri to assist FRPI militias, providing the latter with weapons and other logistical support. -------------- FARDC IS PART OF THE PROBLEM -------------- ¶7. (C) Meanwhile, the FARDC has not expedited the transfer of troops from North Kivu to reinforce its positions in Ituri. As reported reftel, while 700 troops have been dispatched, two battalions have not arrived because the FARDC reportedly does not have the funds to transfer them. FARDC Ituri Operations Commander General Bob Ngoie has requested MONUC assistance to transport the troops. The MONUC Ituri Brigade is currently training the recent FARDC arrivals, who showed up without any weapons. MONUC-Bunia Head of Office Sharouh Sharif told PolOff it was unclear whether these reinforcements had been through the integration process, and many former Ituri militia members were known to be among the KINSHASA 00000478 002 OF 002 ranks of these FARDC battalions. (Note: The FARDC commandos who mutinied in Aveba had not been integrated, either. End note.) Sharif also said a "significant" number of deserters have been reported among the FARDC reinforcements. ¶8. (C) FARDC troops have been adding to the instability in Ituri. MONUC reports indicate some soldiers have engaged in multiple cases of extortion, harassment and assault against local populations. In Kpandroma (approximately 90km north of Bunia),elements of the FARDC have reportedly been assaulting civilians, alleging they were ex-militia members. An unknown number of FARDC soldiers allegedly raped three women (including one minor) in the same area. FARDC troops have set up roadblocks throughout Ituri to demand exactions from civilians and merchants. ¶9. (C) Sharif told PolOff he considered the lack of professionalism by the FARDC as the "main obstacle" to securing peace in Ituri. Sharif said cooperation between the FARDC and MONUC has been strained lately, particularly after the Aveba mutiny. He noted that FARDC elements March 19 even harassed Bangladeshi peacekeepers who were on an escort mission in Bunia. -------------- HUMANITARIAN CONCERNS -------------- ¶10. (C) Internally displaced persons (IDPs) are becoming an increasing concern in Ituri. Following the suspension of military activities, thousands of civilians fled southern Ituri towards Bunia in fear of being caught in future anti-militia offensives. According to figures from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA),there are an estimated 10,000-12,000 IDPs in Bunia from the Tchei-Aveba-Bogoro area. OCHA reports nearly 6,000 of those IDPs have arrived in the last two weeks. MONUC and local NGO sources report the majority of these IDPs are staying with relatives or friends in Bunia, with some families hosting up to 30 families. ¶11. (C) MONUC sources told PolOff the possibility of establishing IDP camps in Bunia is being reviewed, but there is strong opposition on their part to the idea because of the security problems the camps might pose. However, officials acknowledged that any additional influx of IDPs into Bunia may push host families beyond their limits and necessitate the need for camps. In the meantime, food and non-food items are being distributed to the IDPs in Bunia. -------------- COMMENT: ITURI AT A CRITICAL POINT -------------- ¶12. (C) The suspension of military activities in Ituri for nearly three weeks has allowed militias to regroup and rearm. The influx of IDPs into Bunia further complicates matters. The security situation in Ituri has deteriorated in the past few months, as the FARDC has been incapable of committing the necessary resources to address the militia threat. End comment. MEECE