ITURI UPDATE: KARIM SURRENDERS MORE MILITIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 000704

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/25/2017
TAGS: PGOV KPKO PHUM CG
SUBJECT: ITURI UPDATE: KARIM SURRENDERS MORE MILITIA
FIGHTERS

REF: KINSHASA 621

Classified By: PolOff CBrown, reasons 1.4 b/d.


1. (C) Front for National Integration (FNI) militia leader
Peter Karim has turned over an additional 177 militia
fighters to Congolese military (FARDC) authorities in Ituri
District. A first group of 141 surrendered June 15 in Doi,
approximately 50 miles northeast of Bunia. The other 36
turned themselves in to military officials on June 16 and
June 19. Karim has now demobilized nearly 1,000 members of
his militia since the beginning of the year, and has promised
FARDC officials he will bring in more.


2. (C) The latest group, like others before them, handed over
few weapons. According to MONUC officials in Ituri, they
produced just 25 AK-47 rifles with 25 magazine clips, one
84mm mortar, one rocket-propelled grenade, and two anti-tank
mines. Fewer than 300 weapons -- including rifles, mortars
and other ordnance -- have been collected from demobilizing
FNI militia members in the past six months.


3. (C) Child soldiers were again removed from the FNI ranks.
Among the 141 fighters who reported for demobilization June
15, child protection officials identified 31 children, who
have subsequently been placed in the care of various
agencies. More than 100 children have been removed from the
FNI this year.


4. (C) A GDRC delegation met with Karim and other militia
leaders the week of June 11 to discuss the next phase of
demobilization in Ituri, scheduled to begin the last week of
June (reftel). Ituri District Commissioner Petronille Vaweka,
who took part in the meetings, told us June 18 Karim was
"unhappy" with the current program, specifically complaining
about delays in extending amnesty to Ituri militias. (Note:
Amnesty is an issue that can only be addressed by parliament.
End note.) Vaweka said Karim nonetheless promised to
cooperate with military authorities and to continue urging
his forces to surrender.


5. (C) Vaweka added that Karim, against the wishes of FARDC
officials in Ituri, has gone to Aru territory in the northern
part of the district to "disarm" more militia members. The
FNI has not traditionally operated in Aru, nor has there been
significantly militia activity of any kind there in several
years.


6. (C) Comment: While the surrender of more FNI militia is
welcome, Karim's actions have raised suspicions that he is
just buying time to avoid entering the military. His trip to
Aru -- where the FNI has never operated -- may be an attempt
to recruit new members to receive the benefits given to
demobilizing forces. FARDC officials in Ituri appear
unwilling or unable to reign in Karim's activities. Karim's
actions and FARDC acquiescence is putting an additional
burden on demobilization programs to "reintegrate" people who
were never fighters in the first place. End comment.
MEECE