SITUATION REPORT FOR DRC - NOVEMBER 10, 2008,

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000990 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG SUBJECT: SITUATION REPORT FOR DRC - NOVEMBER 10, 2008, AS OF 12:30 PM CENTRAL AFRICAN TIME (GMT +1) ¶1. (U) All times Kinshasa (GMT + 1) unless otherwise indicated. ¶2. (U) The items contained in this situation report consist principally of spot information from various sources. This report is not exhaustive, nor can all the information contained therein be confirmed at this time. Security Situation in Goma and Surrounding Area -------------- -- ¶3. (SBU) The USAID DART team reported that, as of 9:00 AM local time on November 9, OCHA representatives stated that Goma and Kibati towns were calm. According to humanitarian agencies, CNDP and FARDC forces are located immediately north of Kibati, less than one kilometer apart. According to MONUC, the U.N. has undertaken efforts to increase the distance between the two parties, and the process is ongoing. ¶4. (SBU) Additionally, the UN Department of Safety and Security on November 9 reported an outbreak of fighting that occurred on November 8 between the CNDP and other armed groups seven kilometers north of Kiwanja. ¶5. (SBU) As of 9:30 AM Goma time on November 9, the U.N. and humanitarian partners reported that fighting in the Nyanzale and Kikuku areas, and a possible CNDP advance toward Rwindi, had caused panic amongst the FARDC ranks, which fled northward into Kanyabayonga (approximately 150 kilometers northeast of Goma). As of 10:00 AM local time, the DART Deputy Team Leader reported FARDC soldiers arriving in Butembo, north of Kanyabayonga. Due to the consistent lack of discipline of fleeing FARDC soldiers, residents and IDP's located in Kanyabayonga are beginning to panic. ¶6. (SBU) At 11:30 AM local time, USG personnel in Goma reported approximately 25 fully armed FARDC soldiers located at the border with Rwanda. However, they did not appear to be preparing for any formal exercises or activities. As of 2:00 PM local time, the military presence was diminished. ¶7. (SBU) As of 2:15 PM local time, humanitarian agencies reported fighting between the FARDC and CNDP in Ngungu in the southern part of North Kivu. ¶8. (SBU) On November 8, members of the international press told USG representatives that the FARDC had repeatedly turned away press vehicles attempting to travel north of Kibati. In some instances, the FARDC fired warning shots in order to stop the vehicles. ¶9. (SBU) The international press also continues to report the presence of Angolan soldiers in the Goma area. Although the U.N. and GDRC state there is no evidence to confirm such a presence exists, reporters told USG representatives on November 8 that their colleagues observed soldiers speaking Portuguese and sporting berets with pins of the map of Angola. Humanitarian Situation -------------- ¶10. (SBU) DART reported that, although ICRC had registered 65,000 IDP's in the Kibati area, there was definitely not this amount during a November 7 visit to the area. According to DART, there is a large movement of IDP's back to Kibumba and, possibly, to Rugari. ¶11. (SBU) WorldVision told DART that there had been IDP arrivals in Rutshuru from as far south as Minova. IDP flows are northward, seemingly towards areas now occupied by the CNDP. ¶12. (SBU) Mededins Sans Frontiers (MSF) traveled to Kiwanja to follow up on reports that CNDP forces had executed some residents after it retook the town on November 5. MSF has not shared its findings with the humanitarian community. ¶13. (SBU) A/DAS for Central Africa Karl Wycoff arrived in Goma Friday, November 8 and plans to leave for Kigali on November 11. He also plans a trip to Kinshasa on Thursday, November 13. A/DAS Wycoff met with MONUC and EU officials yesterday and is in Bukavu today. BROCK