Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KINSHASA572
2006-04-12 17:16:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:
TWO PEACEKEEPING BATTALIONS IDENTIFIED FOR KATANGA
how-toVZCZCXRO1255 RR RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR DE RUEHKI #0572 1021716 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 121716Z APR 06 FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3644 INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
UNCLAS KINSHASA 000572
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KPKO MOPS CG BU
SUBJECT: TWO PEACEKEEPING BATTALIONS IDENTIFIED FOR KATANGA
PROVINCE
REF: A. KINSHASA 467
B. KINSHASA 509
UNCLAS KINSHASA 000572
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KPKO MOPS CG BU
SUBJECT: TWO PEACEKEEPING BATTALIONS IDENTIFIED FOR KATANGA
PROVINCE
REF: A. KINSHASA 467
B. KINSHASA 509
1. (SBU) In order to address the security situation in the
northern and central Katanga province (reftels),MONUC has
identified two battalions for near-term deployment. The
first, a contingent of Pakistani peacekeepers, Jordanian
medical officers, and 50 military observers currently
assigned to the ONUB mission in Burundi, will soon be
redeployed as part of ONUB's planned drawdown. The second --
a Belgian-trained Francophone battalion from Benin, promised
by UN Undersecretary Guehenno in March (ref A) -- is expected
to be deployed by early May.
2. (SBU) These new troops will add approximately 1600
peacekeepers to those already on the ground in the DRC -- and
they will be deployed in an area roughly the size of Texas.
Their mission is likely to be difficult, as the primary
challenges in Katanga are to simultaneously control Mai-Mai
groups (including the fighters who follow the infamous
Mai-Mai leader Gedeon) and to support poorly-trained and
poorly-disciplined FARDC troops in remote and difficult
terrain. Nonetheless, these new troops are a visible
commitment of resources to a region whose people are
exhausted by conflict (ref B). Northern Katanga is likely to
present significant logistical challenges during the
elections, and an effective peacekeeping presence will
hopefully lead to a significantly higher rate of
participation than previously anticipated.
3. (SBU) Comment: Though MONUC had requested a full
brigade in 2005 to focus exclusively on Katanga, it is hoped
that the two battalions can provide enough support to control
the ongoing conflicts in northern Katanga and help provide
security for peaceful elections in the province. End
comment.
MEECE
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KPKO MOPS CG BU
SUBJECT: TWO PEACEKEEPING BATTALIONS IDENTIFIED FOR KATANGA
PROVINCE
REF: A. KINSHASA 467
B. KINSHASA 509
1. (SBU) In order to address the security situation in the
northern and central Katanga province (reftels),MONUC has
identified two battalions for near-term deployment. The
first, a contingent of Pakistani peacekeepers, Jordanian
medical officers, and 50 military observers currently
assigned to the ONUB mission in Burundi, will soon be
redeployed as part of ONUB's planned drawdown. The second --
a Belgian-trained Francophone battalion from Benin, promised
by UN Undersecretary Guehenno in March (ref A) -- is expected
to be deployed by early May.
2. (SBU) These new troops will add approximately 1600
peacekeepers to those already on the ground in the DRC -- and
they will be deployed in an area roughly the size of Texas.
Their mission is likely to be difficult, as the primary
challenges in Katanga are to simultaneously control Mai-Mai
groups (including the fighters who follow the infamous
Mai-Mai leader Gedeon) and to support poorly-trained and
poorly-disciplined FARDC troops in remote and difficult
terrain. Nonetheless, these new troops are a visible
commitment of resources to a region whose people are
exhausted by conflict (ref B). Northern Katanga is likely to
present significant logistical challenges during the
elections, and an effective peacekeeping presence will
hopefully lead to a significantly higher rate of
participation than previously anticipated.
3. (SBU) Comment: Though MONUC had requested a full
brigade in 2005 to focus exclusively on Katanga, it is hoped
that the two battalions can provide enough support to control
the ongoing conflicts in northern Katanga and help provide
security for peaceful elections in the province. End
comment.
MEECE