SECOND "MIXED" BRIGADE FORMED IN NORTH KIVU

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 000098 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2017 TAGS: PGOV KPKO MOPS CG SUBJECT: SECOND "MIXED" BRIGADE FORMED IN NORTH KIVU REF: A. KINSHASA 65 ¶B. 06 KINSHASA 1832 Classified By: PolOff CBrown, reasons 1.4 b/d. ¶1. (U) The Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) in North Kivu have formed a second new "mixed" brigade composed of soldiers allied with renegade General Laurent Nkunda and of other non-integrated FARDC soldiers who have no ties to Nkunda. The "Bravo" Brigade combines members of the pro-Nkunda 81st and 83rd Brigades stationed in the Runyoni border area with the FARDC's 1st Reserve Brigade and remaining troops from the non-integrated 110th Brigade. (Note: Most of the 110th Brigade was "mixed" into the new "Alpha" Brigade with elements of the 81st Brigade January 20, ref A. End note.) The pro-Nkunda troops in Runyoni were those who participated in the December attacks against the FARDC (ref B); the 1st Reserve had until December been stationed in South Kivu. ¶2. (U) "Bravo" Brigade will be commanded by Colonel Makenga Fulsani, a commander with the pro-Nkunda 83rd Brigade. Fulsani will have two deputies: Lt. Col. Cyril Nsimba of the 1st Reserve Brigade and Lt. Col. Bukamanzi of the 83rd. The brigade, which will have four battalions, consists of about 2,000 soldiers, the majority coming from the ranks of pro-Nkunda forces. FARDC officials said "Bravo" brigade will be deployed in the Runyoni and Bunagana areas. ¶3. (SBU) The first "mixed" brigade created January 20 will be sent to the Nyanzale area west of Rutshuru, according to FARDC officials. Two battalions of the FARDC's 2nd Integrated Brigade, normally stationed in northern North Kivu but in Nyanzale since December, will return to their normal base of operations beginning next week. ¶4. (C) FARDC 8th Military Region Deputy Commander Colonel Delphin Kahimbi told us three more "mixed" brigades will be formed in the coming weeks. The next brigade is scheduled for "mixage" January 27 in Masisi, where it is also expected to be deployed. FARDC officials said Col. Yav Philomene former commander of the 1st Reserve Brigade, will lead this new unit, and Major Baudoin of the 81st Brigade will be his deputy. The subsequent mixed brigades will be led by Colonel Padiri, currently commander of the non-integrated 116th Brigade, and Colonel Faustin of the 83rd Brigade. Padiri's group is slated for deployment to Goma and Kitchanga, while Faustin will be based in Walikale. ¶5. (C) Comment: "Mixage" may turn out to be only a short-term and largely cosmetic fix of North Kivu's security problems. Though the troublesome 81st and 83rd Brigades are being eliminated, troops from these units will remain in the region and could be destabilizing elements if there is not a successful solution regarding what to do with Nkunda himself, and with the forces still with him. End comment. MEECE