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.

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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