Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KINSHASA631
2006-04-20 16:58:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:
ITURI UPDATE: NEW ANTI-MILITIA CAMPAIGN IMMINENT
how-toVZCZCXRO9449 PP RUEHMR DE RUEHKI #0631/01 1101658 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 201658Z APR 06 FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3731 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
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000631
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/20/2016
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPKO MOPS CG
SUBJECT: ITURI UPDATE: NEW ANTI-MILITIA CAMPAIGN IMMINENT
REF: KINSHASA 359
Classified By: PolOff CBrown, reasons 1.4 b/d.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000631
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/20/2016
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPKO MOPS CG
SUBJECT: ITURI UPDATE: NEW ANTI-MILITIA CAMPAIGN IMMINENT
REF: KINSHASA 359
Classified By: PolOff CBrown, reasons 1.4 b/d.
1. (C) Summary: MONUC and the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC)
are making final preparations for a new anti-militia campaign
in Ituri District. While no date for the operation has been
set, MONUC commanders believe fighting will begin soon.
Meanwhile, militia forces of the Congolese Revolutionary
Movement (MRC) continue to recruit demobilized ex-combatants
into their ranks. The MRC has also increased the frequency of
its attacks on FARDC positions throughout the province, most
recently in Bule and Nioka. End summary.
--------------
ITURI EXPLORER NEARLY READY TO BEGIN
--------------
2. (C) MONUC and the FARDC are finalizing plans for a new
military campaign against militia elements of the Patriotic
Forces of Resistance in Ituri (FRPI). According to MONUC's
Eastern Division Operations Chief, Lt. Col. Johann Heyns, the
imminent campaign -- code named Operation Ituri Explorer --
is intended to recapture the village of Tchei in southern
Ituri District. Tchei fell to FRPI militias in March after
elements of the FARDC mutinied in the course of battle
(reftel). Heyns could not say when the operation would
commence, but told PolOff April 20 that MONUC and FARDC
commanders on April 19 met to finalize operational plans.
3. (C) Heyns said in addition to the MONUC resources to be
deployed during Ituri Explorer, MONUC troops in North Kivu
may be requested to secure the border with Ituri. Heyns said
this deployment would attempt to prevent the flight of
militias southward into North Kivu province. The additional
troops could also prevent the flow of arms to the Ituri
militias from North Kivu, which MONUC reports has been
increasing in recent weeks.
4. (C) MONUC sources report that FARDC troops from the 811th
Brigade have finished their training under the guidance of
MONUC peacekeepers. These FARDC soldiers were sent from North
Kivu province to provide reinforcement for the FARDC in
advance of the next phase of anti-militia operations.
--------------
MILITIAS STILL RECRUITING AND ATTACKING
--------------
5. (C) According to a MONUC Eastern Division April 19
situation report, the MRC continues to recruit militia
members throughout Ituri, and that MRC members met in Bunia
April 18 to collect money for the recruitment of demobilized
ex-combatants. MONUC also has reports that militia leader
Mathieu Ngudjolo of the Ituri Nationalist Front (FNI) is
believed to be recruiting for the MRC (in the form of small
cash payments) in the locations of Lirpi, Zumbe, Zekere and
Loga (locations both north and south of Bunia). MONUC
military observers report that militia numbers have been
increasing, due most likely to these monetary incentives.
6. (C) Meanwhile, MRC militias continue their attacks on
FARDC positions. On April 18, the FARDC position at Bule was
attacked by MRC forces. After FARDC troops in Bule fled to
Fataki during the attack, two battalions of MONUC Nepalese
peacekeepers (based in Mahagi),in addition to approximately
40 FARDC troops, subsequently launched a counterattack
against the militia. FARDC-MONUC troops retook Bule and
stabilized the situation on the evening of April 18. The
militia reportedly fled to a large forest hideout in the
Dhera area. Two militia members were captured during the
operation, and one was reported killed. One FARDC officer was
reportedly killed in the fighting. FARDC forces came under
attack April 18 at Nioka, but held their ground during the
firefight. MONUC reports three militia members and one FARDC
sergeant were killed in the fighting.
--------------
COMMENT: DIFFICULT FIGHT AHEAD
--------------
7. (C) After seven weeks with no sustained offensive against
the militia, MONUC and FARDC forces will face a tough fight
against the Ituri militias, who have been regrouping and
rearming since the beginning of March. In addition, the FRPI
and the MRC will be anticipating any military action. It is
not clear how capable and dedicated FARDC forces will be in
KINSHASA 00000631 002 OF 002
combat following a disastrous campaign in Tchei, but the
newly-trained FARDC troops of the 811th Brigade should
provide a much-needed boost to the Congolese Army in its
fight against the militias.
DOUGHERTY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/20/2016
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPKO MOPS CG
SUBJECT: ITURI UPDATE: NEW ANTI-MILITIA CAMPAIGN IMMINENT
REF: KINSHASA 359
Classified By: PolOff CBrown, reasons 1.4 b/d.
1. (C) Summary: MONUC and the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC)
are making final preparations for a new anti-militia campaign
in Ituri District. While no date for the operation has been
set, MONUC commanders believe fighting will begin soon.
Meanwhile, militia forces of the Congolese Revolutionary
Movement (MRC) continue to recruit demobilized ex-combatants
into their ranks. The MRC has also increased the frequency of
its attacks on FARDC positions throughout the province, most
recently in Bule and Nioka. End summary.
--------------
ITURI EXPLORER NEARLY READY TO BEGIN
--------------
2. (C) MONUC and the FARDC are finalizing plans for a new
military campaign against militia elements of the Patriotic
Forces of Resistance in Ituri (FRPI). According to MONUC's
Eastern Division Operations Chief, Lt. Col. Johann Heyns, the
imminent campaign -- code named Operation Ituri Explorer --
is intended to recapture the village of Tchei in southern
Ituri District. Tchei fell to FRPI militias in March after
elements of the FARDC mutinied in the course of battle
(reftel). Heyns could not say when the operation would
commence, but told PolOff April 20 that MONUC and FARDC
commanders on April 19 met to finalize operational plans.
3. (C) Heyns said in addition to the MONUC resources to be
deployed during Ituri Explorer, MONUC troops in North Kivu
may be requested to secure the border with Ituri. Heyns said
this deployment would attempt to prevent the flight of
militias southward into North Kivu province. The additional
troops could also prevent the flow of arms to the Ituri
militias from North Kivu, which MONUC reports has been
increasing in recent weeks.
4. (C) MONUC sources report that FARDC troops from the 811th
Brigade have finished their training under the guidance of
MONUC peacekeepers. These FARDC soldiers were sent from North
Kivu province to provide reinforcement for the FARDC in
advance of the next phase of anti-militia operations.
--------------
MILITIAS STILL RECRUITING AND ATTACKING
--------------
5. (C) According to a MONUC Eastern Division April 19
situation report, the MRC continues to recruit militia
members throughout Ituri, and that MRC members met in Bunia
April 18 to collect money for the recruitment of demobilized
ex-combatants. MONUC also has reports that militia leader
Mathieu Ngudjolo of the Ituri Nationalist Front (FNI) is
believed to be recruiting for the MRC (in the form of small
cash payments) in the locations of Lirpi, Zumbe, Zekere and
Loga (locations both north and south of Bunia). MONUC
military observers report that militia numbers have been
increasing, due most likely to these monetary incentives.
6. (C) Meanwhile, MRC militias continue their attacks on
FARDC positions. On April 18, the FARDC position at Bule was
attacked by MRC forces. After FARDC troops in Bule fled to
Fataki during the attack, two battalions of MONUC Nepalese
peacekeepers (based in Mahagi),in addition to approximately
40 FARDC troops, subsequently launched a counterattack
against the militia. FARDC-MONUC troops retook Bule and
stabilized the situation on the evening of April 18. The
militia reportedly fled to a large forest hideout in the
Dhera area. Two militia members were captured during the
operation, and one was reported killed. One FARDC officer was
reportedly killed in the fighting. FARDC forces came under
attack April 18 at Nioka, but held their ground during the
firefight. MONUC reports three militia members and one FARDC
sergeant were killed in the fighting.
--------------
COMMENT: DIFFICULT FIGHT AHEAD
--------------
7. (C) After seven weeks with no sustained offensive against
the militia, MONUC and FARDC forces will face a tough fight
against the Ituri militias, who have been regrouping and
rearming since the beginning of March. In addition, the FRPI
and the MRC will be anticipating any military action. It is
not clear how capable and dedicated FARDC forces will be in
KINSHASA 00000631 002 OF 002
combat following a disastrous campaign in Tchei, but the
newly-trained FARDC troops of the 811th Brigade should
provide a much-needed boost to the Congolese Army in its
fight against the militias.
DOUGHERTY