SITUATION REPORT FOR DRC - OCTOBER 30, 2008,

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000951 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG SUBJECT: SITUATION REPORT FOR DRC - OCTOBER 30, 2008, AS OF 12:30 PM CENTRAL AFRICAN TIME (GMT +1) ¶1. (U) All times Kinshasa (GMT + 1) unless otherwise indicated. Security Situation in Goma -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Embassy Kinshasa's EAC met at 9:00am to discuss the situation in Goma (septel). RSO noted that there were reports the evening of October 29 of fleeing FARDC and Republican Guard forces looting Goma shops. Embassy received eyewitness reports that FARDC soldiers had shot MONUC drivers in order to commander MONUC vehicles. Radio Okapi reported that "uncontrolled military" had killed nine civilians, wounded three others, and perpetrated three rapes in Goma ¶3. (SBU) There were rumors that the CNDP had taken Goma, as well as rumors of soldiers in Goma wearing uniforms other than those worn by the FARDC and MONUC. FARDC General Mayala, Commander of the 8th Military Region, told Radio Okapi late on October 29 that Goma remained under government control. A MONUC spokesman confirmed that the CNDP had declared a unilateral cease-fire. ¶4. (SBU) A USG staff member based in Goma, who was evacuated to Gisenyi the evening of October 29, phoned RSO at 4:45am October 30 with a report of small arms fire in Goma. At 5:00am, the government officials in Goma claimed they had restored order in town. ¶5. (SBU) A USG staff member in Gisenyi later reported to Poloff that, according to her MONUC sources, the CNDP has pulled back to Kibati (approximately 15 miles north of Goma) and that some FARDC soldiers have abandoned their positions in Goma and moved to Minova, on the border of South Kivu. The USG local staff member subsequently reported that some FARDC soldiers and national police remain on the streets. She also noted that a number of NGO personnel who had evacuated to Gisenyi are returning to Goma today. The situation in Goma is, according to her MONUC sources, calm. A/S Frazer Travel -------------- ¶6. (SBU) A/S Frazer and accompanying party arrived today in Kinshasa and will meet with President Kabila and SRSG Doss. A meeting with a high-level visiting Rwandan delegation is also being arranged. The party will likely travel to Goma tomorrow with Doss, from which point they will go to Kigali. Political Developments -------------- ¶7. (SBU) The October 29 National Assembly plenary focused on the crisis in Goma, with a number of MPs calling for Parliamentary engagement in the situation, and dialogue with both the CNDP and Kigali. National Assembly President Kamerhe, summarizing the debate, called for political and diplomatic solutions, for the CNDP to submit its claims, and for dialogue with Rwanda. ¶8. (SBU) There are widespread rumors in the press and on the street that the new DRC Government will be presented to the National Assembly October 31 for confirmation. BROCK