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