MONUC PROPOSES TRAINING CONGOLESE INTEGRATED

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000400 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/04/2017 TAGS: PGOV KPKO MOPS MARR CG SUBJECT: MONUC PROPOSES TRAINING CONGOLESE INTEGRATED BRIGADES Classified By: PolOff CBrown for reasons 1.4 b/d. ¶1. (SBU) Summary: MONUC military officials are proposing a 16-month, four million USD training program aimed at improving the basic capabilities of 11 of the 14 Congolese military's (FARDC) current Integrated Brigades (IBs). They portray the proposal as part of MONUC's exit strategy from the DRC and the next step in overall security sector reform. The plan follows a relatively successful three-month pilot project between MONUC and the FARDC that concluded in March ¶2007. The plans calls for MONUC peacekeepers from India and Pakistan to train Congolese troops in fundamental soldiering, such as tactics, the use of weapons, discipline, and hygiene. End summary. -------------- PLANS FOR TRAINING IN FUNDAMENTALS -------------- ¶2. (SBU) MONUC Force Commander Lt. Gen. Babacar Gaye presented to international donors March 29 the outline of a proposed MONUC-led training plan for the FARDC's IBs. The plan, estimated by MONUC to cost approximately 3.9 million USD, would provide Congolese troops at all levels with 12 weeks of basic instruction in fundamental aspects of soldiering. Proposed training topics include the correct use of firearms; tactics and maneuvers; military discipline; human rights and the law of armed conflict; HEALTH and hygiene; physical fitness; and Congolese history. ¶3. (C) Gaye said the troops of the FARDC's 14 current IBs lack even a rudimentary understanding of how to use weapons and act as a professional army. He explained that MONUC peacekeepers must often provide logistical and basic tactical support to FARDC forces during joint operations. Gaye argued that in getting the FARDC to stand up on its own, MONUC can begin to disengage militarily and implement its exit strategy from the DRC. He added that such basic training is a crucial step in the overall security sector reform process. ¶4. (SBU) The proposal envisions 12 weeks of training for each battalion of the FARDC's eleven IBs in eastern DRC, for a total of 33 battalions. The first six weeks would consist of separate training for officers and enlisted personnel, while the final six weeks would be devoted to joint training and operations. Gaye said the combined officer-enlisted missions would focus on four objectives: coordinating movement along 
operational terrain; defending against an enemy; liberating a village held by enemy forces; and maintaining peace through patrolling and controlling an operational sector. ¶5. (SBU) The MONUC plan is currently scheduled to begin in early July 2007, according to Gaye, who added that it will be dependent on the funding and authorization granted under MONUC's mandate renewal in April. Nine battalions would be trained simultaneously at several fixed sites in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu, where the eleven targeted IBs are currently stationed. Gaye said MONUC could complete the entire process by October 2008. A steering committee composed of international donors, MONUC and FARDC officials would oversee various logistical, operational and human resource aspects of the project. -------------- CERTAIN BRIGADES WOULD NOT BE INCLUDED -------------- ¶6. (C) Gaye explained MONUC cannot provide training for the IBs deployed in western DRC because it lacks sufficient resources and forces to do so. There are currently three IBs in the western part of the country: the 5th in Kananga, Kasai Occidental; the 7th in Kinshasa; and the 10th in Gemena, Equateur. Gaye added that the five "mixed" brigades in North Kivu will also not be included in the training because they are not yet officially integrated, and the GDRC has not declared its intentions regarding their integration or redeployment. -------------- BUDGET DETAILS -------------- ¶7. (SBU) The project's proposed budget is 3.9 million USD, the bulk of which would be spent on food and shelter for the trainees, plus interpreters for the MONUC trainers. According KINSHASA 00000400 002 OF 002 to the presented budget, MONUC estimates needing approximately 2.23 million USD for food rations, or about ONE USD per day for each soldier for each day of training. In addition, 648,000 USD would be required for tents (to be reused for each training session) and 667,710 USD for 54 interpreters at a cost of 1,030 USD per month for 12 months. Other line items include water purification tablets, medical supplies, rain ponchos, training aids, and fuel for generators and transport. -------------- RELATIVE SUCCESS IN PILOT PROGRAM -------------- ¶8. (SBU) MONUC's proposal follows a similar pilot program it undertook with two integrated FARDC battalions in Ituri and South Kivu from December 2006 to March 2007. (Note: A third battalion in North Kivu was scheduled to participate in the project, but plans were scrapped after fighting between the FARDC and troops loyal to renegade General Laurent Nkunda in November 2006. End note.) Gaye said this training provided positive results despite initial problems. He said many soldiers at first had serious discipline problems and often skipped courses. Many FARDC troops had been separated from their families for months and did not have enough money to provide for them or themselves, adding to their often dismal attitudes. Gaye said half of those trained were illiterate and about 45 percent could speak neither Lingala nor Swahili, two of the DRC's four national languages. Despite these problems and the lack of equipment, Gaye claimed the troops at the end of their training had greatly improved their performance and discipline. -------------- DIFFICULTIES AHEAD -------------- ¶9. (C) Gaye admitted there would be significant difficulties in carrying out the proposed training. Chief among these is the language barrier, as the Indian and Pakistani trainers must rely on interpreters to convey instructions. (Comment: This is also an ongoing difficulty in coordinating joint operations between the FARDC and mostly non-French speaking MONUC peacekeepers. End comment.) Gaye said the FARDC is also hampered by a non-existent administrative structure, which fails to provide sufficient food, water, and other necessities. The FARDC, he added, also lacks adequate equipment, training facilities and operational capacity. He noted that neither the FARDC hierarchy nor the GDRC have yet asked for, not given, official approval to begin the program. -------------- COMMENT: A WORTHWHILE INITIATIVE -------------- ¶10. (C) Comment: MONUC believes its training proposal would help stand up the FARDC operationally and is a component of its own exit strategy. Authorization for MONUC to conduct such training is being sought in its mandate renewal due before April 15. Concerns expressed by some donors have resulted in MONUC acknowledging it will play a supporting role, and not the lead role, in FARDC reform. We also believe the FARDC is in dire need of training, and therefore believe the MONUC initiative is worthwhile. In addition, we support investing more USG resources and energies into providing U.S. training to the Congolese military. End comment. MEECE