Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KINSHASA951
2008-10-30 11:34:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:  

SITUATION REPORT FOR DRC - OCTOBER 30, 2008,

Tags:  PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO8994
OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #0951 3041134
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 301134Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8701
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
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)

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