LOW-LEVEL FIGHTING ONGOING IN NORTH KIVU AS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 001056 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2017 TAGS: PGOV KPKO MOPS ASEC PHUM PREF CG SUBJECT: LOW-LEVEL FIGHTING ONGOING IN NORTH KIVU AS MILITARY BUILDUP CONTINUES Classified By: Charge S. Brock (1.4 b/d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Low-level fighting and occasional skirmishes between troops loyal to dissident General Laurent Nkunda and pro-government forces continue in several areas of North Kivu. Integrated brigades of the Congolese military (FARDC) have been deployed into new positions in Rutshuru and Masisi territories, while pro-Nkunda and pro-government units of the mixed brigades continue to consolidate separate areas of control. MONUC has not engaged directly in any hostilities but has increased patrolling and reinforced its presence in Masisi. Nkunda claims the government refuses to negotiate a peaceful resolution of the situation. Humanitarian officials report several thousand more civilians have fled the fighting and access to the displaced remains difficult. End summary. ¶2. (C) Low-level fighting between pro-Nkunda and pro-government troops continues into its second week in the Masisi and Rutshuru territories of North Kivu. Skirmishes initially broke out August 25 in Masisi after a firefight involving the commander of the mixed Charlie Brigade and Nkunda loyalists of the same unit. A series of on-again, off-again firefights continued in the area for several days, with other clashes reported in nearby Rutshuru territory. The fighting to date has been isolated with most lasting only a few hours. ¶3. (C) Some of the heaviest fighting erupted August 31 near the town of Ngungu in Masisi territory, about 25 miles northwest of the provincial capital Goma, between pro-Nkunda forces and elements of the FARDC's 14th Integrated Brigade (IB),recently deployed to the area from South Kivu. Initial reports suggesting FDLR fighters attacked Nkunda's forces were incorrect. (Note: The 14th IB had been deployed to South Kivu following its failure to repel Nkunda's troops near Sake in December 2006. Some of its commanders have been accused of collaborating with the FDLR, but the allegations remain unproven. End note.) Heavy shelling and combat broke out again September 4 near the village of Karuba, approximately 20 miles west of Goma between the two sides. FARDC officials in the region told us it used helicopters to attack Nkunda-held positions there. Intelligence officials reported additional fighting between elements of Bravo Brigade and the 9th IB in southern parts of Rutshuru on September 4. ¶4. (SBU) Embassy has learned that cell phone service in Rutshuru and northern parts of the province have been disrupted or cut off entirely. Numerous contacts told us that alleged Nkunda loyalists sabotaged a power station in Rutshuru as well as two cellular network hubs. Several attempts by Embassy officials on September 4 to reach sources in Beni and Butembo were unsuccessful due to the lack of cellular service. ¶5. (U) Reports regarding the number of casualties inflicted in fighting vary widely. MONUC confirmed September 4 that at least six killed and 35 wounded in the past week, most among pro-government forces. FARDC Deputy Regional Military Commander Col. Delphin Kahimbi told the press that some 97 pro-Nkunda fighters were killed in combat between August 31-September 2, while the government lost just three during that same period. Kahimbi claimed another 80 Nkunda loyalists died during the fighting in Karuba. Pro-Nkunda commanders were quoted in media reports that the majority of those killed in Karuba were civilians. Other reports from the regional indicate at least four civilians were killed during the fighting around Ngungu. ¶6. (C) The FARDC continues to increase its troop levels in the province. Beginning August 30, forces from the 15th IB in Kisangani were airlifted to Goma. According to MONUC officials, approximately 2,800 troops from the 15th IB have been deployed to North Kivu; several units have since moved to positions near Sake about 15 miles west of Goma. An estimated 30 tons of weapons, munitions and other equipment have reportedly been transferred with these soldiers. In addition, at least two battalions of the FARDC's 6th IB, previously stationed in Ituri District, have arrived by road in Rwindi in Rutshuru territory, about 90 miles north of Goma. MONUC officials said at least one more battalion of the 6th IB is expected in the area in the coming days. Within the past week, two battalions of the 14th IB were moved into Masisi territory from South Kivu. ¶7. (C) Elements of the mixed brigades have redeployed in the past week and are reportedly receiving resupply shipments. KINSHASA 00001056 002 OF 002 North Kivu officials report that Nkunda-loyal battalions have moved away from pro-government forces in Rutshuru territory, effectively creating a line of demarcation between the two sides. MONUC reports that the commander of Bravo Brigade, Colonel Makenga Sultani, abandoned his position in Rutshuru and is reportedly heading with other Nkunda loyalists towards Masisi. Congolese and MONUC military officials further report other pro-Nkunda commanders in the mixed brigades have deserted their units throughout North Kivu. Meanwhile, Congolese intelligence officials told us several trucks carrying weapons, uniforms and fuel were stopped presumably en route to Nkunda's forces in Masisi. ¶8. (C) MONUC military officials in North Kivu told us that Mayi-Mayi and FDLR fighters are moving into the positions being vacated by the mixed brigades in Rutshuru. Humanitarian agencies said roads north of Rutshuru town towards the Ugandan border are now fully under control of these militias and are unsafe to travel. Various authorities estimated that with the arrival of the new integrated brigades, there are now roughly 25,000 troops -- including regular FARDC forces, mixed brigades, the FDLR and Mayi-Mayi -- throughout Rutshuru and Masisi territories, an area roughly the size of Connecticut. MONUC has approximately 4,300 peacekeepers deployed in the province. ¶9. (SBU) MONUC has reinforced the number of peacekeepers deployed to Masisi since the recent fighting began. At least two platoons have already been moved into the area, and MONUC helicopters transported around 200 FARDC troops from Goma to Masisi, along with 1,500 kg of ammunition, on August 31. MONUC attack helicopters have increased their patrols in the region, though they have not engaged any forces. Peacekeepers have also airlifted numerous FARDC casualties from Masisi and evacuated nearly a dozen NGO personnel to Goma. ¶10. (U) In interviews with various media outlets, including AFP, the Associated Press, and the BBC, Nkunda claimed the GDRC is unwilling to negotiate a peaceful end to the current situation. He said he wants to negotiate but argued the government only appears willing to use force. In local radio addresses, Nkunda reportedly criticized those who have allied themselves with the government and attacked President Kabila and North Kivu Governor Julien Paluku for their apparent "unwillingness" to protect the rights of all Congolese. ¶11. (SBU) UNHCR released a statement September 3 expressing concern over new waves of population displacement in North Kivu caused by the fighting. It reported thousands of civilians have fled the conflict and estimated the number displaced since December 2006 has risen to more than 180,000. Humanitarian authorities in the province report most new IDPs are from the Ngungu and Masisi areas, with predominantly Tutsis heading towards Mushaki (an area under Nkunda's control),and other ethnic groups moving toward Minova and Goma (areas controlled by government troops). Officials told us the places IDPs have moved are largely inaccessible safely by road, hindering the delivery of relief services. UNHCR is reportedly investigating the possibility of establishing a new camp along the Goma-Sake road. ¶12. (C) Comment: North Kivu is not yet in a state of full-blown conflict, but conditions are deteriorating as the region becomes even more militarized and new troops enter the equation. Both sides appear intent now on using military force to resolve the issue. Nkunda's ambitions are well known, but Kabila, government ministers and Congolese military leaders have yet to declare their intentions in North Kivu. Simultaneously calling for an inter-ethnic dialogue to promote peace while provoking Nkunda with a military buildup sends the sort of mixed signals that can only add to the province's already high levels of tension and insecurity. End comment. BROCK