KINSHASA SITREP 3: FIGHTING ONGOING, BEMBA TAKES

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000353 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV ASEC KPKO MOPS CASC CG SUBJECT: KINSHASA SITREP 3: FIGHTING ONGOING, BEMBA TAKES REFUGE IN SOUTH AFRICAN AMBASSADOR'S RESIDENCE REF: KINSHASA 352 AND PREVIOUS ¶1. (U) Sounds of automatic weapons and mortar fire have been heard off-and-on beginning around 4:30 a.m. March 23 in the central Gombe district of Kinshasa. Fighting between elements of the Congolese military forces loyal to President Kabila and Bemba's guard forces had temporarily quieted somewhat overnight but shots near the Embassy compound were heard before dawn. Heavy smoke was seen rising from several points in the Gombe area, including a fuel storage tank at a port facility not far from the Chancery. ¶2. (SBU) Post EAC convened at 7:00 a.m. The committee unanimously decided several tripwires concerning drawdown and departure had been crossed. RSO will report these in a separate email to Diplomatic Security. Post is advising all previously scheduled official visits to the DRC be canceled until further notice. The EAC is scheduled to meet again at 11:30 a.m. ¶3. (U) Post continues to advise Embassy personnel and AmCits to remain in their present locations. There are no reports of AmCit casualties from the fighting. Several AmCits remain in office buildings throughout the Gombe area where they spent the night. Approximately 120 Embassy personnel, including local staff, remained overnight at the Chancery, JAO complex and USAID offices. ¶4. (U) Post has received additional reports of stores looted in Gombe along the main Boulevard de 30 Juin. Businesses throughout Gombe remain closed. There is no traffic or public transportation on the main roads. There are scattered reports of isolated looting in areas immediately outside of the Gombe district, but there have been no reports of fighting elsewhere in Kinshasa or in other parts of the country. ¶5. (SBU) South African embassy officials confirm Bemba took refuge in their Ambassador's residence along the Congo River the evening of March 22. They said he was still there the morning of March 23 but that he has not sought asylum. MONUC and South African officials said they are working on providing as escort for Bemba from the residence to another location. ¶6. (U) Information Minister Toussaint Tshilombo announced the morning of March 23 that Bemba is guilty of treason and will be brought to justice along with his accomplices. He said that Bemba has taken the country hostage and, despite his status as a senator, he does not benefit from any special privileges. Tshilombo said security forces have been instructed to bring Bemba before the High Court of Justice. ¶7. (SBU) SRSG William Swing said earlier today Bemba had apparently agreed to move his guard forces and personnel from his former official residence along Boulevard de 30 Juin to his private riverside residence. MONUC reported that this compound has been under fire from the FARDC throughout the morning but that MONUC is beginning to reinforce its positions there. MONUC military officials told us some of Bemba's guards, along with their families, have been spotted leaving the 30 Juin compound, but they were not moving towards the riverside location. MONUC military officials report some elements from Bemba's guard have surrendered to MONUC peacekeepers. ¶8. (SBU) Johan Peleman of MONUC's Joint Mission Analysis Center told us March 23 two companies of MONUC peacekeepers are expected to arrive in Kinshasa this morning from Bas-Congo province. He said MONUC will attempt to regain control of 30 Juin and establish freedom of movement along the route. Peleman added that MONUC peacekeepers have not engaged either the FARDC or Bemba's guards. ¶9. (SBU) The Nigerian Ambassador, whose residence is located in the area of heaviest fighting, was wounded by gunfire the night of March 22. MONUC evacuated him to a local hospital where he is recovering. SRSG Swing said the Nigerian's injuries were serious but not life-threatening. ¶10. (U) Contrary to earlier reports, the Air France flight that landed March 22 departed the same evening. There is an Air France plane on the ground, but this is apparently due to mechanical problems from an earlier flight. South African Airways and SN Brussels have both canceled their regularly scheduled flights into Kinshasa for March 23. KINSHASA 00000353 002 OF 002 MEECE