EASTERN DRC NOTES - DECEMBER 8

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001082 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - DECEMBER 8 REF: KINSHASA 1044 ¶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) OCHA Goma reported that FARDC elements looted 28 houses in Kanyabayonga the night of December 4-5. Additionally, fighting was reported between PARECO and CNDP at Busumba, approximately 13 kilometers southwest of Mweso, to which the population apparently fled. ¶3. (SBU) MONUC informed the DART team in Goma that on December 5 there were reports of fighting between two different factions of PARECO in the towns of Kahira, Kisa, and Tambe in Masisi area. Humanitarian agencies on the same day reported a rumor of a significant Mai-Mai buildup in Vitshumbi, on Lake Edward, and further rumors of a planned attack on Kiwanja. ¶4. (SBU) Additionally, according to local sources, the populations of Kayna and Kirumba, in the Grand Nord, are concerned about potential clashes between the Lafontaine faction of PARECO and FARDC forces. (Note: Such clashes could corroborate reftel report of a possible entente forming between the CNDP and the Lafontaine group, owing to mutual hostility towards FARDC human rights abuses against local populations. End note) Political Developments -------------- ¶5. (U) Press reporting notes that the CNDP has threatened to walk away from talks scheduled to take place in Nairobi today with the GDRC if the government insists upon including the Mai-Mai groups signatory to the Goma accords. (Note: Press reporting from the weekend stated that the government announced that the Mai-Mai would be part of the talks in Nairobi. End note) The Mai-Mai, at the same time, have reportedly threatened to withdraw from the Amani process, if the CNDP is granted separate talks with the government. ¶6. (U) EU Foreign Ministers will discuss today how to provide a "bridging force" in the DRC to help bolster security until additional UN forces arrive, according to a USEU report of High Representative Solana's statement today to the press. (Note: This is a shift from previous reporting, which suggested that an EU force for the DRC was not likely. End note) LRA Negotiator in Kinshasa -------------- ¶7. (U) Riek Machar, Vice-President of the autonomous region of Southern Sudan and mediator in the Juba peace initiative, met with DRC President Kabila December 5. A GDRC source told the press that Machar briefed Kabila about continued difficulties in the negotiations between the LRA and the Ugandan Government. GARVELINK