EASTERN DRC NOTES - NOVEMBER 20

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001032 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - NOVEMBER 20 ¶1. (U) The items contained in this report consist principally of spot information from various sources. This report is not exhaustive, nor can all the information contained therein be confirmed at this time. Security Situation -------------- ¶2. (SBU) UNDSS reported sporadic shooting all day on November 19 in Kayna, possibly FARDC troops trying to keep the population away as they continued to loot. Radio Okapi reported that the town's residents have fled into the bushes. ¶3. (SBU) According to UNDSS, CNDP has withdrawn to Kikuku on the westernmost approach to Kanyabayonga from the south and to Kiberizi on the middle road. CNDP agreed to pull back to Mabenga (between Rwindi and Kiwanja),but they have not yet done so. Some MONUC contacts speculate the CNDP may now turn its attention to the Masisi area. ¶4. (SBU) At Kibututu, 7 kilometers outside of Kiwanja, MONUC sent a patrol to respond to the population's fears of an imminent attack by PARECO. The patrol's armored vehicle was fired upon, and MONUC returned fire with one PARECO fighter reportedly wounded. Humanitarian Situation -------------- ¶5. (SBU) NGO and UN staffs are not traveling along the Kanyabayonga-Lubero road because of the presence of marauding FARDC elements in the area. Most of the remaining populations of Kanyabayonga, Kayna, and Kirumba, i.e., those who did not already flee north to Lubero, are reportedly hiding in the bush. ¶6. (SBU) The Therapeutic Feeding Center run by Lutheran World Federation in Kayna has been seriously pillaged. ¶7. (SBU) NGOs are planning trips to the Nyanzale-Katwe-Kikuku-Katsiro area and the Rutshuru-Banagans axis, both now firmly under CNDP control and believed to be secure. Missions to the CNDP "capital" of Kichanga, via Sake, have been ongoing throughout the current crisis. GARVELINK