FRF relays serious concerns over FARDC human rights abuses

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000421 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS KPKO CG SUBJECT: FRF relays serious concerns over FARDC human rights abuses ¶1. (U) Summary: USAID Goma liaison officer along with the Belgian Consul General and MONUC Head of Office in Bukavu traveled to Kamombo, South Kivu along with three Forces Republicaines Federalistes (FRF) members of the Mixed Technical Commission on Peace and Security (MTCPS). The delegation met on May 2 with the FRF military commander and his top commanders and advisors, who established a linkage between their ability to complete the process of disengagement through Amani and the FARDC's continuing abuses of the Tutsi population of the area. The FRF relayed that their most important concern is that the FARDC based in Minembwe and Moranvia is pillaging and raping at will. The delegation prepared a report on this visit and the FRF's concerns for Father (French "Abbe") Malu Malu, as well as proposed remedial efforts, and will discuss this with him soon. End summary. ¶2. (U) USAID Goma liaison officer, along with the Belgian Consul General in Bukavu Hughes Chantry and MONUC Bukavu Head of Office Zubaida Rasul, undertook a mission to Kamombo, South Kivu, in order to return the FRF members of the MTCPS (Zebede Gassore, Fidel Mukiza, and Jules Dyadu) to their headquarters. The three are to begin "sensitization" (awareness raising) activities immediately with FRF forces and their populations. ¶3. (U) After arriving in Kamombo May 2, the delegation met with Venant Bisogo, FRF military commander and his top commanders and advisors. At this meeting, the FRF took a relatively strong stand on the issues affecting them, establishing a linkage between their ability to complete the process of disengagement through Amani and the FARDC's continuing abuses of the Tutsi population of the area. ¶4. (U) The FRF relayed that their most important concern is that the FARDC based in Minembwe and Moranvia is pillaging and raping at will. This is due partly to lack of logistical support (i.e. salaries and food) to the FARDC. However, Bantu soldiers are also targeting Tutsi civilians on the basis of their ethnicity. The FRF wants the GDRC to bring the FARDC under control - they are not demanding that the army leave, although they would see that as desirable - and asked the Facilitation to transmit their concerns to the army and the Amani leadership. They emphasized that "sensitization" of FRF troops will not work if the FARDC is not reined in. ¶5. (U) The FRF complained about a number of other issues as well, to include those related to the FDLR, lack of state administration in the area, refugee return, and Minembwe Territory. However, these complaints were minor as compared to their problems with the FARDC. ¶6. (U) The delegation prepared a report on this visit and the FRF's concerns for Abbe Malu Malu and will be discussing it with him soon. They have relayed to him that continuing human rights violations committed by the FARDC could result in a military response from the FRF and/or FRF refusal, lack of support for, or disobedience with respect to the process of disengagement and implementation of the Acte d'Engagement process. ¶7. (U) The delegation emphasized to Malu Malu that this is a serious impediment to the current process of "sensitization" involving the FRF and has grave implications for the whole process related to the Acte d'Engagement. As remedial measures, they recommended that Malu Malu deploy his offices as Amani Coordinator to work with the 10 MR to seek an immediate solution, and assure the FRF that the Coordinator is seized with the matter. ¶8. (SBU) Comment: How much of what the FRF relayed was real and how much was posturing, or inspired by the CNDP, are open questions. At the same time, their concerns are of the immediate and pressing variety, in contrast to those frequently put forward by the CNDP, which are more often than not related to the public image of the organization. Ultimately, the human rights abuses about which the FRF is concerned are real issues for them and for the success of the process. End comment. BROCK