SITUATION REPORT FOR DRC - NOVEMBER 5, 2008,

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000967 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG SUBJECT: SITUATION REPORT FOR DRC - NOVEMBER 5, 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) USAID officer TDY in Goma/Gisenyi attended a MONUC military briefing the afternoon of November 4, at which it was confirmed that the GDRC curfew for Goma (applying only to Congolese) was now in effect from 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM. MONUC would like the GDRC authorities to extend this to the hours of 7:00 PM to 5:30 AM. EUSEC observes a 7:00 PM curfew, though many organizations have not implemented restrictive curfews. ¶3. (SBU) A situation report sent to Poloff from a contact at MONUC HQ noted that the UN crisis management cell in Goma decided to shift the curfew for UN staff to 9:00 PM and close the regroupment sites. However, mechanisms are in place to reopen and operationalize these concentration points on short notice in case the security situation deteriorates rapidly. ¶4. (SBU) There were no violations of the ceasefire reported, although the CNDP appears to be reinforcing its positions at Kivumba and Rutshuru. FARDC forward positions around Goma are two kilometers north of Kibati, with significant soldiers at or near Sake and Minova. ¶5. (SBU) MONUC is concerned that FARDC Generals Delphin and Kenkele have briefed 120 members of PARECO based in the Rutshuru area around Kanyabayonga-Mbenga who could serve as paid proxies for the FARDC. PARECO forces in Rutshuru engaged the CNDP in a firefight November 4 that started at approximately 2:00 PM local time. According to a MONUC military contact, the PARECO forces were clearly defeated. This firefight apparently broke out approximately 300 meters from the MONUC base at Rutshuru, which came under cross-fire. Stabilization and Humanitarian Developments -------------- ¶6. (SBU) MONUC sources in Goma told USAID officer that, in their opinion, the Stabilization Plan will have to be more focused on South Kivu and Ituri for the moment. This represents a shift back to the original idea that stabilization activities should first be implemented in the most stable areas, and are not necessarily the correct tool for more active zones. ¶7. (SBU) A MONUC military source stated to USAID officer that the IDP camps at Nyongera, Kinyandonyi, Dumez, and Rutshuru are not just empty, they have been completely dismantled. Nwenda and Rubare are intact, but empty. MONUC does not know where the population has gone. ¶8. (SBU) The MONUC situation report sent to Poloff described a November 4 meeting between the humanitarian community and Alain Le Roy, UN Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations. Humanitarian workers raised concerns about how the security situation has made it more difficult to deliver assistance to the population, pointing to instances of pillaging and looting of NGO property and staff. They appealed to MONUC to maintain its positions outside of Goma to prevent an influx of IDP's into the town. Political Developments -------------- ¶9. (SBU) The UK Ambassador in Kinshasa (pls protect) told Charge that President Kabila has apparently given General John Numbi (Chief of the Congolese National Police Force) an informal green light to talk with Nkunda; such a meeting would also include representatives from the United States and the EU. ¶1. (SBU) A DRC delegation was reportedly in Dar esSalaam November 4 to talk about a summit, perhap by the end of this week, between Presidents Kabla and Kagame. AU Special Emissary Fall is charged with arranging the summit. BROCK