Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KINSHASA783
2006-05-17 10:26:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:
ITURI UPDATE: FARDC CAPTURES NOTORIOUS MILITIA
how-toVZCZCXRO7672 PP RUEHMR DE RUEHKI #0783 1371026 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 171026Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3890 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 KINSHASA 000783
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/10/2016
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPKO MOPS CG
SUBJECT: ITURI UPDATE: FARDC CAPTURES NOTORIOUS MILITIA
LEADER
Classified By: PolOff CBrown, reasons 1.4 b/d.
C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 000783
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/10/2016
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPKO MOPS CG
SUBJECT: ITURI UPDATE: FARDC CAPTURES NOTORIOUS MILITIA
LEADER
Classified By: PolOff CBrown, reasons 1.4 b/d.
1. (C) According to MONUC Head of Office Sharouh Sharif,
soldiers from the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) on May 16
captured militia commander General Innocent Kayinga
(code-named "Indian Queen"). Kayinga was a leader of the
Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC) and one of the most wanted
militia members in Ituri; he was also a founder of the
Congolese Revolutionary Movement (MRC),an umbrella group of
various Ituri militias established in 2005. (Note: The UPC's
founder, Thomas Lubanga, was recently arrested by the
International Criminal Court and transferred to The Hague to
stand trial on war crimes charges. End note.)
2. (C) Major Gazali, the Chief of Intelligence for the MONUC
Ituri Brigade, said the FARDC had ambushed UPC militia in the
Dhego area of Djugu territory (north of Bunia) on May 13,
during which four militia members were killed and several
were injured. According to Gazali, on May 15 a civilian
spotted Kayinga in the vicinity of Mongbwlau and alerted the
FARDC. The following day FARDC troops captured Kayinga.
Sharif said Kayinga was reportedly badly injured and was
airlifted to MONUC medical facilities in Bunia.
3. (C) FARDC spokesman Captain Olivier Mputu said the FARDC
next intends to target Mathieu Ngudjolo, a commander in the
Front for National Integration (FNI) militia. MONUC sources
report that Ngudjolo was injured in anti-militia fighting in
Ituri earlier this month and is currently on the run. Mputu
said an operation to capture Ngudjolo would be launched
"soon."
4. (C) Comment: Momentum appears to be building in Ituri as
the FARDC continues to make advances against militia forces.
The capture of Kayinga, successful operations in Mahagi
territory, and a strong stand against milita attacks in Nioka
all in the last week indicate that the FARDC may be turning a
corner in Ituri. Whether this momentum will last, however,
may be dependent on the ability of the new FARDC commander,
General Mbuayamba, to keep the FARDC engaged. Also
contributing to the revived efforts of the Congolese military
is the fact that many of the troops were recently paid for
the first time in several months. End comment.
MEECE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/10/2016
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPKO MOPS CG
SUBJECT: ITURI UPDATE: FARDC CAPTURES NOTORIOUS MILITIA
LEADER
Classified By: PolOff CBrown, reasons 1.4 b/d.
1. (C) According to MONUC Head of Office Sharouh Sharif,
soldiers from the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) on May 16
captured militia commander General Innocent Kayinga
(code-named "Indian Queen"). Kayinga was a leader of the
Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC) and one of the most wanted
militia members in Ituri; he was also a founder of the
Congolese Revolutionary Movement (MRC),an umbrella group of
various Ituri militias established in 2005. (Note: The UPC's
founder, Thomas Lubanga, was recently arrested by the
International Criminal Court and transferred to The Hague to
stand trial on war crimes charges. End note.)
2. (C) Major Gazali, the Chief of Intelligence for the MONUC
Ituri Brigade, said the FARDC had ambushed UPC militia in the
Dhego area of Djugu territory (north of Bunia) on May 13,
during which four militia members were killed and several
were injured. According to Gazali, on May 15 a civilian
spotted Kayinga in the vicinity of Mongbwlau and alerted the
FARDC. The following day FARDC troops captured Kayinga.
Sharif said Kayinga was reportedly badly injured and was
airlifted to MONUC medical facilities in Bunia.
3. (C) FARDC spokesman Captain Olivier Mputu said the FARDC
next intends to target Mathieu Ngudjolo, a commander in the
Front for National Integration (FNI) militia. MONUC sources
report that Ngudjolo was injured in anti-militia fighting in
Ituri earlier this month and is currently on the run. Mputu
said an operation to capture Ngudjolo would be launched
"soon."
4. (C) Comment: Momentum appears to be building in Ituri as
the FARDC continues to make advances against militia forces.
The capture of Kayinga, successful operations in Mahagi
territory, and a strong stand against milita attacks in Nioka
all in the last week indicate that the FARDC may be turning a
corner in Ituri. Whether this momentum will last, however,
may be dependent on the ability of the new FARDC commander,
General Mbuayamba, to keep the FARDC engaged. Also
contributing to the revived efforts of the Congolese military
is the fact that many of the troops were recently paid for
the first time in several months. End comment.
MEECE