MONUC LAUNCHES MINEMBWE PEACE EFFORT IN WAKE OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000887 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/26/2017 TAGS: MOPS PHUM PREF PGOV CG SUBJECT: MONUC LAUNCHES MINEMBWE PEACE EFFORT IN WAKE OF RENEWED FIGHTING REF: KINSHASA 855 Classified By: PolCouns DBrown, reasons 1.4 b/d ¶1. (C) Summary. MONUC officials have launched a new initiative in South Kivu's High Plateau region following a week of renewed fighting between the Congolese military (FARDC) and armed ethnic Banyamulenge dissident forces. Their efforts have not produced a ceasefire, though the level of fighting has subsided. Both sides in the skirmishes have included ethnic Banyamulenge, a Congolese Tutsi subgroup. Details are sketchy, but government forces appear to have the much smaller dissident contingent on the run. The fighting has raised humanitarian concerns and old fears of intercommunity tensions. In MONUC's view, the continued fighting in the area is heavily influenced by Banyamulenge clan politics. End summary. ¶2. (C) A senior-level MONUC delegation arrived in Minembwe July 23 to reach a peaceful settlement to a week of renewed fighting between a Banyamulenge-led insurgent group and government forces in the High and Middle Plateaus of South Kivu. The delegation, led by MONUC South Kivu Brigade Commander General Qamar Bajwa and Acting Political Affairs Director Christian Manahl, also included FARDC Regional Military Commander for South Kivu General Sylvain Tshikwej. The group has met with the FARDC's Deputy Regional Military Commander General Patrick Masunzu, the officer in charge of the recent offensive, to discuss the possibility of finding a negotiated solution rather than continuing hostilities. The group has also been in telephone contact with the dissidents, led by Major Michel Rukunda and Captain Venant Bisogo, who have reportedly said they refuse to surrender or to integrate into the national military. The delegation's mission was still ongoing in Minembwe as of July 25, though without any apparent resolution. ¶3. (C) Fighting in Congo's South Kivu province between the FARDC and the dissident soldiers of the combined Moramvia-47 group flared up again during the week of July 15 on the High Plateau in the area north of Minembwe and the Middle Plateau in the area outside Uvira, following sporadic action and the buildup of government forces the week before. Fighting is continuing fitfully on both fronts, with the more numerous FARDC forces apparently having gained the upper hand. ¶4. (C) MONUC, citing Congolese military (FARDC) sources, told us July 17 that ethnic Banyamulenge fighters under the command of Capt. Venant Bisogo had initially been in action against FARDC troops some 30km outside Uvira, while others commanded by Maj. Michel Rukunda had taken part 25 km northwest of Minembwe. MONUC military officials report an FARDC platoon in the High Plateau north of Minembwe was allegedly attacked first by the dissidents July 16. FARDC troops subsequently encircled the dissidents, who tried to escape to positions in the mountains and forested areas further north. Smaller skirmishes between both sides followed throughout the week, with attacks taking place as recently as July 21, but there have been no reports of fighting in the past few days. FARDC officials claimed to have captured the town of Moramvia, the site of Rukunda's former headquarters about 75 km south of Uvira. The FARDC claimed it has suffered four casualties and numerous injured in the fighting; casualties among the dissidents remain unknown. ¶5. (C) MONUC told us July 17 the recent fighting followed the decision of 59 dissidents to join the FARDC integration process during an early July mission to the area by Masunzu, a fellow Munyamulenge allied with President Joseph Kabila. A MONUC official said the fighters surrendered with their leaders to Masunzu, who personally escorted senior officers to Bukavu July 14 as a guarantee of their security. The leader of the breakaway group, Commander Mukalai, broadcast an appeal on the state network RTNC and MONUC's Radio Okapi to try to convince the remaining dissidents to surrender. ¶6. (C) Both MONUC officials and Moise Nyarugabo, an RCD senator close to the dissidents, estimated the combined numbers of the Bisogo-Rukunda group at no more than 250-300. The FARDC troops opposing them are much more numerous. A MONUC political officer said July 24 that on the High Plateau these include ethnic Banymulenge elements of the 112th (non-integrated) Brigade and a battalion of multi-ethnic troops of the 12th Integrated Brigade, and on the Middle Plateau a special battalion formed from other Banyamulenge of KINSHASA 00000887 002 OF 002 the 112th and local ethnic Bafulero Mayi-Mayi fighters. MONUC believes the government troops now have the remaining dissidents on the run. FARDC authorities reported elements of the dissident groups have relocated to mountainous areas south of Moramvia. ¶7. (C) The scale of the humanitarian impact remains unclear, although several thousand civilians are believed to have fled, perhaps in advance of the fighting. Unconfirmed reports indicate an undetermined number of combatants killed or wounded on both sides, but no certain civilian casualties. A MONUC political officer said July 24 they believe both forces are likely living off the land. MONUC and Nyarugabo told us several villages have been burned and looted. It is not clear whether government or dissident troops, or both, were responsible. ¶8. (C) MONUC told us July 24 that members of the Banyamulenge community whom its officials have met have expressed support for FARDC action against the dissidents, whom they blame for actions that have raised fears of abuse and reprisals by other ethnic groups. However, both MONUC and Nyarugabo related reports that an undetermined number of Banyamulenge cattle, the source of much of the community's wealth, had been stolen or killed during the fighting. Whether government or dissident forces are to blame is unknown. MONUC expressed concern that, regardless of who may be responsible, the Banyamulenge community could take a massive economic hit that could turn any government military victory into a political defeat. ¶9. (C) Comment. The most recent fighting has been building for a long time. It follows unsuccessful negotiations marked by the dissidents' switch from brassage to mixage as their preferred method of military integration, and the appointment of Masunzu as deputy regional commander last month. MONUC has concluded that much of the underlying tensions can be traced to Banyamulenge clan politics. According to that analysis, the 59 dissidents who surrendered were members of a single clan who decided to throw in their lot with pro-Kabila forces after growing dissatisfied with the clans who led the RCD and dominate the core group of dissidents; the fighting followed attempts by two other clans to defect as well. However, any military solution will be hollow if more is not doneto address the core suspicion and mistrust that have existed for decades between the Banyamulenge and other communities. End comment. MEECE