EASTERN DRC NOTES - DECEMBER 5

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001078 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - DECEMBER 5 ¶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) At a December 4 Kinshasa briefing, MONUC reported that anti-FDLR operations should resume in the coming weeks; these operations were curtailed in recent weeks, as MONUC-supported FARDC forces remained occupied with CNDP offensives. MONUC Force Command predicts that the CNDP will tailor its near-term military operations to threaten population centers, as opposed to securing additional territory, in order to advance its political objectives. ¶3. (SBU) In South Kivu, Mai Mai participation in the DDR process is jeopardized by concerns that the Banyamulenge group FRF is rearming; the Mai Mai are asking for written guarantees that the FRF is not in fact rearming. In Ituri, MONUC supported successful FARDC operations against local militias, including the retaking of the village of Tchey. ¶4. (SBU) In Haut Uele, FARDC forces, which had temporarily ceased anti-LRA operations in anticipation of Kony signing the Final Peace Agreement (FPA),are now awaiting orders for next steps. In the wake of the failed signing of the FPA, MONUC fears that self-defense groups will emerge in the area, fueling increased violence. Political Developments -------------- ¶5. (SBU) MONUC Goma reported that retired Kenyan General Sumbeiwo arrived in Goma on December 4 in his capacity as senior advisor to Obasanjo. (Note: Sumbeiwo presided over Sudan peace talks in 2004 and reportedly has a reputation as a skilled negotiator. End note). Sumbeiwo traveled to Jomba on December 4 to meet CNDP military commanders, including Nkunda. The Rwandan and Congolese Foreign Ministers met again in Goma on December 4 in the context of the "4x4 commission." Former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa, representing the AU, was in Goma to receive a briefing on the progress of these talks. ¶6. (SBU) MONUC Goma reported on December 5 that the Sumbeiwo-Nkunda meeting had gone well. Sumbeiwo presented NKUNDA a roadmap for political negotiations, apparently the same roadmap that Sumbeiwo had presented to President Kabila earlier in the week. According to MONUC, Sumbeiwo is suggesting initial GDRC-CNDP talks -- level undetermined -- in Nairobi for as early as December 8. MONUC has suggested Kimoka camp as a possible site for follow-on talks. GARVELINK