30,000 NEW NORTH KIVU IDPS FOLLOWING FARDC CLASHES

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000382 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREF MOPS PREL KPKO CG UN SUBJECT: 30,000 NEW NORTH KIVU IDPS FOLLOWING FARDC CLASHES WITH FDLR AND PARECO ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Reports indicate that recent skirmishing in North Kivu between the FARDC and FDLR and PARECO forces are responsible for 30,000 new internally displaced persons (IDPs). UNHCR confirmed a halt in distribution of aid to the Kinyandoni I, Kinyandoni II, and Kiwanja camps near Rutshuru April 24. Public awareness of increasing FARDC pressure on the FDLR is a principal source of these displacements. End summary ¶2. (SBU) Armed confrontations pitting the FARDC against the FDLR and PARECO over the last week-and-a-half have been accompanied by 30,000 new IDPs in North Kivu's Rutshuru and Lubero territories. According to MONUC: -- On April 19, the FARDC took several FDLR/FOCA positions in Mirangi, approximately 120 km northwest of Goma. Some houses were burned and civilians displaced. -- On April 21, the FARDC 63rd Integrated Battalion attacked FDLR/RUD positions around Kisegura, near Rutshuru town. ¶3. (SBU) PARECO elements reportedly fought alongside the FDLR during these clashes. However, PARECO and FDLR/RUD have an antagonistic relationship, and it would be unusual for them to make common cause in the second case. ¶4. (SBU) On April 25, PARECO forces entered Kamandi in southern Lubero territory, local residents told EmbOffs, and briefly occupied it after a confrontation with the FARDC. The PARECO fighters left after a few hours and the FARDC, reportedly supported by MONUC, reasserted control of the town. Residents claimed that the town was totally destroyed, with all houses burned and animals and belongings taken by the FARDC, not PARECO. On April 27, elements of the 15th Integrated Brigade attacked other PARECO positions near the town. ¶5. (SBU) A UNHCR representative told us April 28 that distribution of aid to the Kinyandoni I, Kinyandoni II, and Kiwanja IDP camps near Rutshuru was halted April 24 due to FARDC-FDLR skirmishing. UNHCR is working with MONUC and the commander of the FARDC 6th Integrated Brigade to open a humanitarian corridor. ¶6. (SBU) Comment: MONUC does not view the number of recent confrontations as inordinately or comparatively high. The large displacements accompanying them appear principally due to public awareness that the FARDC is putting increasing pressure on the FDLR. End comment GARVELINK