Goma Report September 9:

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000741 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG UN, EUN SUBJECT: Goma Report September 9: CNDP within Reach of Kanyabayonga ¶1. (SBU) Summary: A force of at least 200 CNDP on September 9 reached Kayala, 20 km south of the strategic town of Kanyabayonga, and could reach that town by dawn September 10. Meanwhile, CNDP withdrew from Numbi in South Kivu. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) At the end of day September 9, poloff met North Kivu brigade commander, Brigadier General Bipin Rawat, and MONUC Deputy Chief of Staff for eastern Congo, Colonel James Cunliffe, for an assessment of the day's military developments. Rawat said that a force of at least 200 CNDP had reached Kayala, halfway between Nyanzale and Kanyabayonga. Another force of 50 CNDP had made a probe at Kikuku, northwest of Nyanzale, where the North Kivu brigade had fired upon CNDP the previous day, but again withdrew when North Kivu brigade again made clear it would use force to prevent the occupation of that town (Kikuku sits on a strategic ridge on the road connecting Nyanzale to either Kanyabayonga or Rwindi). ¶3. (SBU) There were persistent reports from NGO's in the course of the day that CNDP had also occupied Kibirizi, on the eastern road connecting Nyanzale to Rwindi. There appear to be significant movements of civilians from the area of Kibirizi to the main north-south highway at Rwindi. However, Rawat had no confirmation of Kibirizi's occupation by CNDP. There are reports also of significant movement of civilians from areas north and east of Nyanzale toward Nyanzale, where North Kivu brigade is holding firm. ¶4. (SBU) Rawat's and Cunliffe's assessment was that CNDP was almost certainly aiming to reach Kanyabayonga, and would be able to do so by September 10, moving through the bush by foot overnight. Kanyabayonga, located on the main north-south highway just at the point where it reaches the escarpment edge dividing the Congo and Nile watersheds, is not only the most strategic position on that highway, but also carries fraught connotations in the minds of many Congolese as a place of great violence during the wars in the 1990's. Rawat said that the North Kivu brigade would use force if necessary in holding Kanyabayonga, having reinforced its base there. He said that one complicating factor was that FARDC, which was in total disarray in the area, was nevertheless sending 250 elements back to Kanyabayonga, and these elements along with civilian officials were stirring up the populace against MONUC, which could present problems in North Kivu brigade's efforts to protect the town. Hostile crowds had already impeded a logistical convoy moving near Bambu and a small reconnaissance helicopter was hit by fire. ¶5. (SBU) Meanwhile, by opening of day September 9 CNDP had withdrawn a few kilometers north from the village of Numbi, just across the provincial border in South Kivu, which it had occupied September 8, and FARDC has reoccupied it with a small force. North Kivu brigade heard persistent exchange of fire in the Rutshuru corridor, both in the area of Ntamugenga (east of Kalengera) and east of Rumangabo. North Kivu brigade was again stopped by stone-throwing crowds from getting to Ntamugenga. General Rawat gave a press briefing in Goma in which he attempted to clarify MONUC's military role of supporting the government but also remaining neutral in the conflict in support of the Goma process to which all parties adhered. Force Commander General Gaye arrives Goma September 10 for two days, joining Minister of Defense Chikez and Chief of Army Staff Kayembe who have remained in Goma. They have overseen a change in command structure in FARDC, with General Lukama assuming command over FARDC forces in both North and South Kivu, with General Mayala (head of 8th military region) as his deputy. FARDC is establishing three sectors in the Petit Nord, with the infamous Col. Delphin heading the Rutshuru sector, Col Kahaha. in Masisi, and Col. Kinkela taking charge of Kanyabayonga (and points south to Nyanzale). GARVELINK