EASTERN DRC NOTES - NOVEMBER 26

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001052 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - NOVEMBER 26 ¶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) After three days of relative calm, UNDSS reported that fighting broke out in two separate areas of North Kivu on November ¶25. CNDP and PARECO forces clashed at Lushebesho, south of Katsiru and east of Mweso. CNDP reportedly was trying to dismantle a PARECO base in the area. An NGO said there was additional fighting in Kalembe, west of Katshuga. ¶3. (SBU) CNDP and PARECO also engaged in a battle at Kinyadoni, which the CNDP apparently captured, 7 kilometers north of Kiwanja on the road to Ishasha. According to one NGO, PARECO retreated quickly. Wounded PARECO soldiers were transported to the hospital in Nyamilima, where two of them later died. There are reports of many people fleeing the Kinyadoni-Ngwenda-Nyamilima area northward to Ishasha or directly into Uganda. A MONUC commander told Goma Poloff that the CNDP appeared to be advancing toward Ishasha, which is on the Ugandan border. ¶4. (SBU) Looting by FARDC elements is on-going in the Kanyabayonga-Kayna-Kirumba area, with the village of Bulotwe particularly affected on November 24. Apparently, "only journalists" were traveling to Kanyabayonga from Goma, as the security situation remains unsafe. ¶5. (SBU) MONUC military sources confirmed that the FARDC was redeploying two battalions closer to the frontline in North Kivu: the 101st from Beni towards Kanyabayonga and the 102nd from Bumba (Equateur Province) to Beni. The FARDC will soon transfer its headquarters for Eastern Congo from Kisangani to Beni. ¶6. (SBU) MONUC's Operation Kimia will resume on December 8, focusing on DDRRR activities in South Kivu. MONUC does not require FARDC support to move forward with this operation. Fighting in Ituri -------------- ¶7. (SBU) On November 24, the FARDC launched an attack to try to retake the southern Ituri towns of Poto-Poto and Tchey, held by the rebel group Popular Front for Justice in Congo (FPJC). The FPJC fought back the FARDC advance in these two villages and retook the village of Janda, which the FARDC had occupied since early morning November 24. GARVELINK