EASTERN DRC NOTES - DECEMBER 23

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001150 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - DECEMBER 23 ¶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) MONUC confirmed that CNDP and PARECO forces engaged in a firefight on December 19 on the Rutshuru-Kanyabayongo road, with four PARECO combatants killed. CNDP and PARECO also clashed near Ndoko, northwest of Masisi. According to MONUC, CNDP continues to augment its forces in this region. ¶3. (SBU) On December 22, five armed men stopped an IRC vehicle on the Goma-Rutshuru road, shooting several rounds into the air before stealing cell phones, cash, and other personal property. The IRC personnel were unhurt. IRC's provincial director told Goma Poloff that she has ordered all IRC workers out of CNDP controlled territory, but she was uncertain if the robbers were CNDP. ¶4. (SBU) As a result of this incident, MONUC has raised the security level from yellow to red on the Goma-Rutshuru corridor. An OCHA official told Goma Poloff that the road north of Rutshuru was even more dangerous, with Mai Mai forces concentrated in the area. ¶5. (SBU) During the weekend of December 20-21, MONUC reported seven cease-fire violations in South Kivu. Although the violations were minor cases of harassment, MONUC expressed concern because the area had been generally free of incidents for a significant period. LRA - Operation Lightening Thunder -------------- ¶6. (SBU) UPDF forces told MONUC that they found weapons, satellite phones, and documents at abandoned LRA camps, suggesting the rebels had fled suddenly. An unknown number of rebel bodies were also recovered. ¶7. (SBU) Press reports claim that Kony is retreating towards the Central African Republic, looting and abducting civilians en route. MONUC reported that the LRA launched an attack in Southern Sudan on December 18. Contrary to UPDF expectations, only 6-9 LRA dependents have surrendered. Humanitarian Situation -------------- ¶8. (SBU) On December 20, two members of the USAID/DART team visited the Mugunga III IDP camp in Goma to evaluate conditions and monitor the progress of the UNHCR-initiated transfers to the Kibati camps. The camp has expanded since the December 12 USAID/DART assessment visit, with USAID/OFDA partner IMC consulting with 15-20 new patients daily. This is in addition to the average caseload of 60-70 IDP's from the original camp population. IMC reported that the transfers continue in an orderly and smooth fashion, as UNHCR restricts group transfers to approximately 600 people daily. GARVELINK