MINEMBWE UPDATE: MANSUNZU SENDS 200 TROOPS FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 000184 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2017 TAGS: PGOV KPKO ASEC CG SUBJECT: MINEMBWE UPDATE: MANSUNZU SENDS 200 TROOPS FOR INTEGRATION REF: A. KINSHASA 140 ¶B. KINSHASA 126 Classified By: POLOFF CBrown, reasons 1.4 b/d. ¶1. (C) General Patrick Masunzu, commander of the Congolese army's (FARDC) non-integrated 112th Brigade in South Kivu, has reportedly sent approximately 200 of his troops for military integration. MONUC officials in the provincial capital of Bukavu confirm the soldiers left Minembwe in the High Plateau region on foot February 12 heading towards Baraka. They are expected to arrive at the integration center in Luberizi, about 25 miles north of Uvira, around February ¶17. ¶2. (C) Masunzu's decision represents a near-complete reversal of his position regarding the integration of his forces. The 112th Brigade, consisting almost exclusively of ethnic Banyamulenge (a Tutsi sub-group) soldiers, has been recently engaged in periodic fighting with dissident FARDC units commanded by other Banyamulenge officers (reftels). Masunzu had previously said he would not send his troops for integration until these units, the so-called "Moramvia Group" and "Group of 47," had disarmed. It is believed Masunzu's 112th originally had 400 soldiers in its ranks. ¶3. (C) FARDC Land Force Commander General Gabriel Amisi has been holding negotiations with Masunzu and the dissident leaders in South Kivu since February 5. Eric Ruhimbere, a former colleague of renegade officers Colonel Jules Mutebusi and General Laurent Nkunda, has also been sent to Minembwe from Goma at FARDC's request to negotiate with the dissidents. ¶4. (C) MONUC-Uvira Head of Office Alessandra Trabattoni said the discussions have apparently produced a tacit agreement among the three factions regarding the modalities for integrating their respective units. According to Trabattoni, Major Michel Rukunda and Colonel Venant Bisogo, respectively commanders of the Moramvia and Group of 47, demanded Masunzu send his forces to disarmament centers before they do, and are expected to begin assembling their respective troops for integration in Minembwe and Kamombo in the coming days. Elements of FARDC's 12th Integrated Brigade are to replace the 112th around Minembwe. ¶5. (C) Comment: Masunzu's actions are a positive step that could reduce tension existing in the High Plateau region. Although Masunzu himself is a Munyamulenge from the High Plateau, his presence is an irritant for some in the Banyamulenge community, who view him as an agent of President Kabila. It is hoped Rukunda and Bisogo, along with other armed groups in the province, will follow Masunzu's lead and enter the integration process. End comment. MEECE