Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KINSHASA128
2009-02-09 12:40:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:
EASTERN DRC NOTES - FEBRUARY 9
how-toVZCZCXRO8450 OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHKI #0128/01 0401240 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 091240Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9158 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 SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000128
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - FEBRUARY 9
REF: KINSHASA 116
KINSHASA 00000128 001.2 OF 002
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000128
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - FEBRUARY 9
REF: KINSHASA 116
KINSHASA 00000128 001.2 OF 002
1. (U) The items contained in this 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.
Pareco Opts for Political Path
--------------
2. (SBU) Apparently following the lead of the CNDP (reftel),Pareco
has announced that it too will transform from an armed movement into
a political party. Pareco's national president, Sengugu Museveni,
announced on February 6 that all Pareco elements would be placed
under the command of the FARDC.
Tambwe: Still Seeking Nkunda's Extradition
--------------
3. (SBU) DRC Foreign Minister Alexis Tambwe Mwamba, speaking to
press following the February 6 "4 by 4" meeting with GoR officials
in Gisenyi, said that the DRC would pursue the extradition of former
CNDP rebel leader Laurent Nkunda. Tambwe noted that the GDRC wanted
to ensure adequate security for Nkunda's return.
National Assembly Petition for Special Session
-------------- -
4. (SBU) As of February 6, 260 DRC deputies had signed a petition
demanding an extraordinary session of the National Assembly to
discuss the presence of Rwandan troops on DRC soil. Although only
251 signatures are required for the petition to move forward, the
decision whether to convoke an extraordinary session rests solely
with the President of the National Assembly, Vital Kamerhe.
5. (SBU) A source "close to Kamerhe" told Radio Okapi that Kamerhe
would welcome such a session. However, various media pointed out
that many powerful figures within the government coalition have
allegedly been highly critical of Kamerhe's lack of full support for
the RDF/FARDC operations. Other observers noted that, even if
Kamerhe does not convoke an extraordinary session, parliament will
certainly take up this topic during its regular session in March.
Integration Process
--------------
6. (SBU) One week into the integration process, MONUC reported that
223 child soldiers (207 Mai Mai/Pareco and 16 CNDP) have been
demobilized by MONUC's Child Protection Division. MONUC praised DRC
authorities and the rebel groups for their cooperation.
Nevertheless, according to UNICEF, there are still as many as 1,500
child soldiers in North Kivu.
Security Situation
--------------
7. (SBU) Radio Okapi reported that FDLR elements looted
approximately 20 houses in the village of Kirumba, 180 kilometers
north of Goma, on February 6. The FARDC/RDF joint operations have
not yet reached this area.
Humanitarian Situation
--------------
8. (SBU) USAID/OFDA implementing partner IMC reported that the
entire population of Chambucha (5,000) in North Kivu, situated on
the South Kivu border, had fled due to significant FDLR presence in
the area.
9. (SBU) In a recently released report, OCHA estimated that there
are around 810,000 IDP's in North Kivu, including 230,000 in Masisi
Territory, 220,000 in Lubero Territory, and 175,000 in Rutshuru
Territory. At the Kibati IDP camp just north of Goma, 75,000 IDP's
have left for their homes, leaving approximately 110,000. A
February 6 USAID/DART visit to Kibati confirmed a noticeable
decrease in the camp's population.
10. (SBU) John Holmes, UN Under-Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs,
during a February 8 visit to the Kibati camp, called on local
authorities to encourage IDP's to return home, if the security
situation permits. According to Radio Okapi, some local officials
maintain that residents continue to fear for their safety.
11. (SBU) Despite the end of FARDC-CNDP hostilities, OHCA and
Refugees International noted that there have been limited IDP
returns to areas formerly administered by the CNDP in Rutshuru
KINSHASA 00000128 002 OF 002
Territory. Some have speculated that there are still concerns about
CNDP intimidation of returning GDRC local administrators. However,
reports vary as to the pace and number of returnees over recent
days. For example, OCHA acknowledged that there had been
significant IDP returns to Kibumba in Rutshuru Territory.
LRA: Operation Lightning Thunder
--------------
12. (SBU) Responding to recent criticism from Medecins Sans
Frontieres (MSF),SRSG Alan Doss maintained, in a February 6 letter
to the organization, that MSF had "seriously misrepresented MONUC
responsibilities and actions to protect civilians" in Haut Ulele.
Doss claimed that, although MONUC had not been involved in the
planning of the joint operation, it was providing logistical support
to the FARDC. Doss cautioned that, because of the enormous area
involved and MONUC's limited presence, MONUC did not have the
capacity to respond to every emergency at every moment.
13. (SBU) MONUC reported that, as of February 5, the FARDC had
deployed six battalions to Dungu Territory. The FARDC forces are
positioned along the four major road axes in Dungu.
GARVELINK
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - FEBRUARY 9
REF: KINSHASA 116
KINSHASA 00000128 001.2 OF 002
1. (U) The items contained in this 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.
Pareco Opts for Political Path
--------------
2. (SBU) Apparently following the lead of the CNDP (reftel),Pareco
has announced that it too will transform from an armed movement into
a political party. Pareco's national president, Sengugu Museveni,
announced on February 6 that all Pareco elements would be placed
under the command of the FARDC.
Tambwe: Still Seeking Nkunda's Extradition
--------------
3. (SBU) DRC Foreign Minister Alexis Tambwe Mwamba, speaking to
press following the February 6 "4 by 4" meeting with GoR officials
in Gisenyi, said that the DRC would pursue the extradition of former
CNDP rebel leader Laurent Nkunda. Tambwe noted that the GDRC wanted
to ensure adequate security for Nkunda's return.
National Assembly Petition for Special Session
-------------- -
4. (SBU) As of February 6, 260 DRC deputies had signed a petition
demanding an extraordinary session of the National Assembly to
discuss the presence of Rwandan troops on DRC soil. Although only
251 signatures are required for the petition to move forward, the
decision whether to convoke an extraordinary session rests solely
with the President of the National Assembly, Vital Kamerhe.
5. (SBU) A source "close to Kamerhe" told Radio Okapi that Kamerhe
would welcome such a session. However, various media pointed out
that many powerful figures within the government coalition have
allegedly been highly critical of Kamerhe's lack of full support for
the RDF/FARDC operations. Other observers noted that, even if
Kamerhe does not convoke an extraordinary session, parliament will
certainly take up this topic during its regular session in March.
Integration Process
--------------
6. (SBU) One week into the integration process, MONUC reported that
223 child soldiers (207 Mai Mai/Pareco and 16 CNDP) have been
demobilized by MONUC's Child Protection Division. MONUC praised DRC
authorities and the rebel groups for their cooperation.
Nevertheless, according to UNICEF, there are still as many as 1,500
child soldiers in North Kivu.
Security Situation
--------------
7. (SBU) Radio Okapi reported that FDLR elements looted
approximately 20 houses in the village of Kirumba, 180 kilometers
north of Goma, on February 6. The FARDC/RDF joint operations have
not yet reached this area.
Humanitarian Situation
--------------
8. (SBU) USAID/OFDA implementing partner IMC reported that the
entire population of Chambucha (5,000) in North Kivu, situated on
the South Kivu border, had fled due to significant FDLR presence in
the area.
9. (SBU) In a recently released report, OCHA estimated that there
are around 810,000 IDP's in North Kivu, including 230,000 in Masisi
Territory, 220,000 in Lubero Territory, and 175,000 in Rutshuru
Territory. At the Kibati IDP camp just north of Goma, 75,000 IDP's
have left for their homes, leaving approximately 110,000. A
February 6 USAID/DART visit to Kibati confirmed a noticeable
decrease in the camp's population.
10. (SBU) John Holmes, UN Under-Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs,
during a February 8 visit to the Kibati camp, called on local
authorities to encourage IDP's to return home, if the security
situation permits. According to Radio Okapi, some local officials
maintain that residents continue to fear for their safety.
11. (SBU) Despite the end of FARDC-CNDP hostilities, OHCA and
Refugees International noted that there have been limited IDP
returns to areas formerly administered by the CNDP in Rutshuru
KINSHASA 00000128 002 OF 002
Territory. Some have speculated that there are still concerns about
CNDP intimidation of returning GDRC local administrators. However,
reports vary as to the pace and number of returnees over recent
days. For example, OCHA acknowledged that there had been
significant IDP returns to Kibumba in Rutshuru Territory.
LRA: Operation Lightning Thunder
--------------
12. (SBU) Responding to recent criticism from Medecins Sans
Frontieres (MSF),SRSG Alan Doss maintained, in a February 6 letter
to the organization, that MSF had "seriously misrepresented MONUC
responsibilities and actions to protect civilians" in Haut Ulele.
Doss claimed that, although MONUC had not been involved in the
planning of the joint operation, it was providing logistical support
to the FARDC. Doss cautioned that, because of the enormous area
involved and MONUC's limited presence, MONUC did not have the
capacity to respond to every emergency at every moment.
13. (SBU) MONUC reported that, as of February 5, the FARDC had
deployed six battalions to Dungu Territory. The FARDC forces are
positioned along the four major road axes in Dungu.
GARVELINK