GOMA NOTES: ETUMBA'S PLAN FOR DISENGAGEMENT

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000499 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS KPKO CG SUBJECT: GOMA NOTES: ETUMBA'S PLAN FOR DISENGAGEMENT ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Amani Program Peace and Security Co-President Didier Etumba has proposed disengaging government and CNDP forces in North Kivu along lines in Masisi in Rutshuru, and creation of five ex-combatant assembly centers in the province. He suggested three centers for South Kivu, where there are no real fronts. MONUC is concerned that it will be unable to control ex-combatants during the disengagement process. MONUC reminded Etumba that DDR donors will have a major say in how the process is conducted. International Facilitation representatives expressed doubt that simultaneous disengagement is possible, and argued for a "mutual phased reduction" model that draws equally from disengaging forces, although not all at once. End summary Separation and assembly -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Back in Goma May 26 following the three-week Amani program public information campaign, Admiral Didier Etumba, co-president of Joint Commission on Peace and Security, briefed SRSG Chief of Staff John Almstrom, MONUC's General Farouk, FARDC 8th Region military commander General Vainqueur Mayala and the International Facilitation on his disengagement plan for North and South Kivu. Because our limited budget will not tolerate new conflicts, he said, we will create assembly centers for disengaged combatants. After these fighters then move on to civilian life or brassage, the work of the Joint Commission is over. For Etumba, the goal is simultaneous disengagement. Armed groups that want to report on their own schedules are a threat: they ignite a you-go-first mentality that ultimately discourages all groups from disengaging. ¶3. (SBU) Etumba's plan for North Kivu envisions CNDP and FARDC forces separated along two lines, in Masisi and Rutshuru territories, and creation of five assembly centers. For the CNDP there would be centers in: (1) Chengerero, where both assembly and brassage would take place; (2) Mweso, for elements coming from Tongo, Kitchanga and Binza; and (3) Masisi, for elements from Mushake. For Mai-Mai there would be centers in: (4) Kanyabayonga; and (5) Kibabi. Under Etumba's plan, the FARDC would not re-deploy during nor be involved in disengagement. Neither would they occupy "liberated" areas: that would be the responsibility of MONUC. ¶4. (SBU) South Kivu has no "fronts" to disengage. Etumba recommended two assembly centers for Mai-Mai in Walungu and Luberezi, and a third for FRF in Kamombo. In his scheme, combatants would travel to the centers by road with MONUC and Facilitation support. ¶5. (SBU) MONUC representatives expressed concern that Etumba's plan would require them to control combatants on the move as well as in assembly centers. This would require additional financing, for which there are few sources. MONUC reminded Etumba that DDR donors would have a major say in how the process is conducted, including where brassage takes place. Managers of World Bank/GDRC DDR funds may not concur with Etumba's vision. ¶6. (SBU) Mayala suggested that the assembly centers have a different name, such as "transit and orientation centers," to deflect focus from the possibility that troops living in close contact could undertake spontaneous and unwanted military excursions. Etumba and Farouk agreed that their central task during the disengagement period is to ensure than no fighting breaks out among disarming combatants. That risk especially threatens brassage. Etumba appears to believe that