Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07KINSHASA85
2007-01-25 12:11:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:
FARDC 1ST BRIGADE AGAIN FACES MILITARY JUSTICE FOR
how-toVZCZCXRO8024 PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHKI #0085 0251211 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 251211Z JAN 07 FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5471 INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
UNCLAS KINSHASA 000085
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV MOPS KPKO KJUS CG
SUBJECT: FARDC 1ST BRIGADE AGAIN FACES MILITARY JUSTICE FOR
HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES
REF: 06 KINSHASA 1797
UNCLAS KINSHASA 000085
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV MOPS KPKO KJUS CG
SUBJECT: FARDC 1ST BRIGADE AGAIN FACES MILITARY JUSTICE FOR
HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES
REF: 06 KINSHASA 1797
1. (U) Summary: Soldiers from the Congolese army's First
Integrated Brigade have earned another military court date,
this time on charges of looting and rape in Bunia, Ituri
District January 11 and 12 after mutinying. 34 of more than
200 defendants appeared before a military judge in Bunia
January 24. End summary.
2. (U) The FARDC First Integrated Brigade (1st IB),
implicated in summary execution of civilians in September
2006 (reftel),now stands accused of looting and rape.
Soldiers went on a rampage through the southern part of Bunia
on the evening of January 11, shooting indiscriminately and
looting shops and civilian homes after hearing a rumor that
they were supposed to have received a USD 50 New Year's
bonus. Bunia health officials claimed as many as nine women,
including four young girls, were raped during the incidents.
The soldiers also attacked a MONUC camp and armed personnel
carriers on patrol, but no damage was reported.
3. (U) MONUC temporarily evacuated 80 UN and international
NGO staff, secured the FARDC ammunition depot, and arrested
29 FARDC soldiers. On January 12, the Deputy Commander of
the 1st IB, Colonel Ngona, disarmed an additional 267
soldiers and put all under house arrest pending hearings
before a military prosecutor.
4. (U) The first 34 accused soldiers began trial before a
military judge in Bunia on January 24. They included two
captains and two second lieutenants. The military jail is
full, so the accused soldiers remain at the 1st IB camp,
guarded by the Rapid Response Police and other FARDC
soldiers. Eight others were declared innocent by the FARDC
following an internal investigation.
5. (U) Looting victims have organized and demanded the
government make reparations of all stolen materials. FARDC
authorities claim to have returned some goods found on the
arrested soldiers. The Bunia-based human rights NGO Justice
Plus is accompanying victims to court.
6. (SBU) MONUC Head of Office Charles Gomes confirmed that
the USD 50 "promised bonus" was only a rumor. Instead, USD 6
per soldier was given to the commanders as a lump sum for
holiday rations.
7. (SBU) Comment: The Bunia military prosecutor has proven
willing to take on cases that in the past would never have
come to court. The Belgian-trained 1st IB now has two black
eyes and a tarnished human rights record, a blow to what had
heretofore been cited as an example of the success of the
integration process. End comment.
MEECE
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV MOPS KPKO KJUS CG
SUBJECT: FARDC 1ST BRIGADE AGAIN FACES MILITARY JUSTICE FOR
HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES
REF: 06 KINSHASA 1797
1. (U) Summary: Soldiers from the Congolese army's First
Integrated Brigade have earned another military court date,
this time on charges of looting and rape in Bunia, Ituri
District January 11 and 12 after mutinying. 34 of more than
200 defendants appeared before a military judge in Bunia
January 24. End summary.
2. (U) The FARDC First Integrated Brigade (1st IB),
implicated in summary execution of civilians in September
2006 (reftel),now stands accused of looting and rape.
Soldiers went on a rampage through the southern part of Bunia
on the evening of January 11, shooting indiscriminately and
looting shops and civilian homes after hearing a rumor that
they were supposed to have received a USD 50 New Year's
bonus. Bunia health officials claimed as many as nine women,
including four young girls, were raped during the incidents.
The soldiers also attacked a MONUC camp and armed personnel
carriers on patrol, but no damage was reported.
3. (U) MONUC temporarily evacuated 80 UN and international
NGO staff, secured the FARDC ammunition depot, and arrested
29 FARDC soldiers. On January 12, the Deputy Commander of
the 1st IB, Colonel Ngona, disarmed an additional 267
soldiers and put all under house arrest pending hearings
before a military prosecutor.
4. (U) The first 34 accused soldiers began trial before a
military judge in Bunia on January 24. They included two
captains and two second lieutenants. The military jail is
full, so the accused soldiers remain at the 1st IB camp,
guarded by the Rapid Response Police and other FARDC
soldiers. Eight others were declared innocent by the FARDC
following an internal investigation.
5. (U) Looting victims have organized and demanded the
government make reparations of all stolen materials. FARDC
authorities claim to have returned some goods found on the
arrested soldiers. The Bunia-based human rights NGO Justice
Plus is accompanying victims to court.
6. (SBU) MONUC Head of Office Charles Gomes confirmed that
the USD 50 "promised bonus" was only a rumor. Instead, USD 6
per soldier was given to the commanders as a lump sum for
holiday rations.
7. (SBU) Comment: The Bunia military prosecutor has proven
willing to take on cases that in the past would never have
come to court. The Belgian-trained 1st IB now has two black
eyes and a tarnished human rights record, a blow to what had
heretofore been cited as an example of the success of the
integration process. End comment.
MEECE