FDLR ACTIVITY MOUNTING

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 000697 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/02/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL KPKO MOPS CG SUBJECT: FDLR ACTIVITY MOUNTING Classified By: Poloff KRBel for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) In the volatile eastern Congo region, both North and South Kivu are once again facing unrest. MONUC sources report that recent combined operations against the FDLR have resulted in fifteen deaths, including eight civilians, six suspected FDLR militia members, and at least one FARDC soldier in the recent military confrontations -- but the actual total is likely to climb. Despite some successes, however, the FARDC is proving incapable of maintaining its positions against the strong opposition of the FDLR without constant support from MONUC. ¶2. (C) North Kivu: MONUC and FARDC troops launched a joint initiative, North Network, against FDLR positions in the Virunga National Park area on April 26. There are numerous reports of FDLR members and dependents captured, though reports indicate that militia camps had been abandoned prior to the offensive. The Second Integrated Brigade reportedly repulsed FDLR attacks at Nyamilina and Katwageru on May 1 and May 2. In confidential internal reports, MONUC characterizes the situation as "a series of tit-for-tat attacks" which have claimed significantly more than the publicly-reported 15 casualties. North Kivu Governor Eugene Serufuli told PolCouns May 1 he fears a broader resurgence of FDLR activity and said he has urged Defense Minister Onusumba to complete deployment of the Seventh Integrated Brigade to Luberu to try to deter possible FDLR aggression. ¶3. (C) South Kivu: During operations in the Kahuzi-Biega National Park on April 21 against other FDLR positions, MONUC received reports that five villagers were abducted by a group of about 50 FDLR during a raid. The following day, a FARDC patrol counter-raided two suspected FDLR hideouts in Chikowa and Kambali, killing one FDLR member, wounding another, and successfully rescuing all hostages. MONUC received information that the assistant chief of Kigwema village was killed, allegedly by FDLR elements, on April 25. MONUC reports several instances of FDLR leaders and members surrendering and requesting demobilization and repatriation to Rwanda, perhaps related to increased efforts against the FDLR. DOUGHERTY