SITUATION REPORT FOR DRC - NOVEMBER 4, 2008,

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000964 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG SUBJECT: SITUATION REPORT FOR DRC - NOVEMBER 4, 2008, AS OF 12:30 PM CENTRAL AFRICAN TIME (GMT +1) REF: KINSHASA 963 ¶1. (U) All times Kinshasa (GMT + 1) unless otherwise indicated. Security Situation in Goma -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The EAC met today at 11:00 AM and decided to maintain the current mandate that USG employees return to Gisenyi during nighttime hours (septel). Efforts will be made to ensure that employees cross the borders in the DRC at the earliest possible moment and that they return to Rwanda as late as possible to ensure maximum working time in Goma. The EAC will revisit this issue again on Friday. ¶3. (SBU) USAID officer TDY in Goma/Gisenyi reported that, according to MONUC military contacts, there is no evidence that the CNDP has physically taken Nyanzale and reinforced positions there (reftel). Her contacts noted as well that two FARDC Generals in the north, who have a track record of not following orders, had appeared to be moving soldiers toward some CNDP positions, but were intercepted by MONUC yesterday and have pulled back. In addition, MONUC is looking at options for redeployment of peacekeepers from relatively calm areas to assist in Goma reinforcements. ¶4. (SBU) USAID officer noted that the situation in Goma itself appears to be calm. Banks, shops, and schools are open and FARDC soldiers, who were armed with heavy weapons on November 2, have switched to light weapons (AK-47s) or are not carrying weapons at all. Humanitarian Developments -------------- ¶5. (SBU) USAID officer also reported that a number of NGO's said that they are planning or are deploying field missions today, and a number report normal operations in their usual areas. WFP has begun delivering food in some locations. Political Developments -------------- ¶6. (SBU) The Assistant Secretary's Special advisor for conflict resolution, Tim Shortley, is due to arrive in Goma today from Kampala. He is expected to remain in eastern Congo until later this week when he will go to Kinshasa. He is set to return to Washington this weekend. ¶7. (SBU) EU Special Representative Roeland van de Geer is scheduled to meet General John Numbi, chief of the National Police, today in Goma at 11:00 AM local time. (Note: a MONUC contact told Poloff November 3 that there are rumors National Police Chief General John Numbi will be nominated as Chief of Staff of the FARDC, replacing Kayembe. End note.) ¶8. (SBU) Press reports note that GDRC spokesperson Mende Omalanga declared November 3 that the government will not engage in direct talks with the CNDP, as this would give preference to the CNDP over the other armed groups in the area and undermine the constitution. Nkunda, in a radio interview with Radio France International, threatened to overthrow the Kabila government if it refused direct negotiations. (Note: According to a number of contacts, there have been no contacts yet between Nkunda and a GDRC representative. General Numbi, now in Goma, and PM Adolphe Muzito, who is scheduled to arrive there today, are frequently mentioned as candidates to represent the GDRC in a meeting with Nkunda. End note.) ¶9. (U) General Babacar Gaye will return to his position as MONUC Force Commander for a maximum period of six months while MONUC looks for a permanent replacement. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has nominated former Nigerian President Obasanjo as special envoy to spearhead diplomatic efforts to defuse tensions between the DRC and Rwanda. An AU envoy has also been named and is expected to arrive in Kinshasa on Wednesday. BROCK