Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07KINSHASA1151
2007-09-25 17:04:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:
NORTH KIVU UPDATE (9/25/07, 18:00 GMT): LIMITED
how-toVZCZCXRO7348 PP RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHKI #1151 2681704 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 251704Z SEP 07 FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6950 INFO RUEHZJ/HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISION COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PRIORITY 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 001151
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/24/2017
TAGS: MOPS PGOV ASEC CG
SUBJECT: NORTH KIVU UPDATE (9/25/07, 18:00 GMT): LIMITED
SKIRMISHING BUT NO RENEWED HOSTILITIES
Classified By: PolCouns DBrown (reasons 1.4 b/d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001151
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/24/2017
TAGS: MOPS PGOV ASEC CG
SUBJECT: NORTH KIVU UPDATE (9/25/07, 18:00 GMT): LIMITED
SKIRMISHING BUT NO RENEWED HOSTILITIES
Classified By: PolCouns DBrown (reasons 1.4 b/d)
1. (U) Limited skirmishes broke out in several locations in
North Kivu in the early morning of September 24 between
Congolese military (FARDC) troops and elements of renegade
General Laurent Nkunda's forces, but had died down by midday.
No casualty figures were available.
2. (SBU) FARDC Deputy Regional Military Commander for North
Kivu Col. Delphin Kahimbi told us the September 24 that
Nkunda loyalists had attacked FARDC positions in Ngungu,
Karuba, Mweso, and Jtn, all about 25-40 miles west-northwest
of Goma in Masisi Territory. He said elements of the 14th
Integrated Brigade (IB) were involved in the Ngungu and
Karuba fighting; the 15th IB in Jtn. A spokesman for the
CNDP, Nkunda's political arm, was quoted on the wires
claiming it was the FARDC that had attacked, and accused it
of using FDLR and Mayi-Mayi fighters in support.
3. (SBU) FARDC Chief of Staff General Dieudonne Kayembe and
MONUC Force Commander General Babacar Gaye visited Sake on
September 25. They found Sake, where MONUC peacekeepers had
deployed between the two sides on September 7 to impose an
informal ceasefire, "quiet for now," according to MONUC-Goma
Head of Office Ulli Mwambulutuku, who accompanied them.
4. (C) Mwambulutuku told us both sides appeared more
interested in maintaining current positions that in fighting.
He said it was difficult to determine which side may have
fired first in the September 24 incident. He said isolated
skirmishes had continued, but interpreted these as
opportunistic movements rather than a resumption of
hostilities.
5. (C) As an example, a MONUC internal report noted firing
in the general area of Mure Mure, located between Karubu and
Kagano, at approximately 6:20 a.m. on September 25, but did
not interpret this as evidence of renewed hostilities. The
report indicated Kahimbi informed MONUC's North Kivu Brigade
that FARDC troops moving to reinforce Karuba were fired on by
Nkunda forces.
BROCK
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/24/2017
TAGS: MOPS PGOV ASEC CG
SUBJECT: NORTH KIVU UPDATE (9/25/07, 18:00 GMT): LIMITED
SKIRMISHING BUT NO RENEWED HOSTILITIES
Classified By: PolCouns DBrown (reasons 1.4 b/d)
1. (U) Limited skirmishes broke out in several locations in
North Kivu in the early morning of September 24 between
Congolese military (FARDC) troops and elements of renegade
General Laurent Nkunda's forces, but had died down by midday.
No casualty figures were available.
2. (SBU) FARDC Deputy Regional Military Commander for North
Kivu Col. Delphin Kahimbi told us the September 24 that
Nkunda loyalists had attacked FARDC positions in Ngungu,
Karuba, Mweso, and Jtn, all about 25-40 miles west-northwest
of Goma in Masisi Territory. He said elements of the 14th
Integrated Brigade (IB) were involved in the Ngungu and
Karuba fighting; the 15th IB in Jtn. A spokesman for the
CNDP, Nkunda's political arm, was quoted on the wires
claiming it was the FARDC that had attacked, and accused it
of using FDLR and Mayi-Mayi fighters in support.
3. (SBU) FARDC Chief of Staff General Dieudonne Kayembe and
MONUC Force Commander General Babacar Gaye visited Sake on
September 25. They found Sake, where MONUC peacekeepers had
deployed between the two sides on September 7 to impose an
informal ceasefire, "quiet for now," according to MONUC-Goma
Head of Office Ulli Mwambulutuku, who accompanied them.
4. (C) Mwambulutuku told us both sides appeared more
interested in maintaining current positions that in fighting.
He said it was difficult to determine which side may have
fired first in the September 24 incident. He said isolated
skirmishes had continued, but interpreted these as
opportunistic movements rather than a resumption of
hostilities.
5. (C) As an example, a MONUC internal report noted firing
in the general area of Mure Mure, located between Karubu and
Kagano, at approximately 6:20 a.m. on September 25, but did
not interpret this as evidence of renewed hostilities. The
report indicated Kahimbi informed MONUC's North Kivu Brigade
that FARDC troops moving to reinforce Karuba were fired on by
Nkunda forces.
BROCK