EASTERN DRC NOTES - FEBRUARY 13

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000149 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - FEBRUARY 13 ¶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. Security Situation -------------- ¶2. (SBU) MONUC sources confirmed a Reuters report that at least 40 FDLR rebels were killed in an air raid at Kashebere on February 13. A FARDC spokesman was quoted as saying that the air raid targeted a meeting of rebel commanders in the area. The FARDC spokesman also claimed that the joint operations also attacked the FDLR's heavily defended division in Majembe, inflicting "heavy" losses. ¶3. (SBU) MONUC reported that on February 20 the FARDC killed three FDLR during a clash at Mbawavinywa, 40 kilometers northeast of Kanyabayonga. Two hundred families reportedly fled to Luofo following the clash. ¶4. (SBU) MONUC Kinshasa reported that RDF troops have moved from the Pinga area towards Nyabiondo, where there is allegedly a large FDLR concentration. RDF troops also appear to be deploying towards the towns of Ntoto, Katoyi, and Kibua where FDLR forces are present. ¶5. (SBU) In South Kivu, FDLR forces remain deployed in various strengths along the North-South Kivu border, and reportedly occupy two towns on Lake Kivu, just east of Watunga. ¶6. (SBU) A senior MONUC Political Advisor told Goma PolOff that CNDP Commander Makenge will be put in charge of the FARDC's 85th brigade, often described as a renegade force that has cooperated closely with the FDLR in mining operations north of Walikale. Integrated FARDC units are reportedly being flown into Walikale to replace compromised units of the 85th. ¶7. (SBU) A EUSEC source told Goma PolOff that the FARDC is two days late with payroll, and the issue of adding recently integrated units has not been fully resolved. The North Kivu Governor and senior FARDC officers are apparently aware of the potential for this issue to seriously affect progress on integration. ¶8. (SBU) A MONUC Political Officer told PolCouns that MONUC remains "very concerned" about its capacity to fill any vacuum created, should RDF troops withdraw at the end of February. MONUC PolOff noted that, according to MONUC's estimates, the FDLR controlled 80% of South Kivu before the operations began. DDR and DDRRR Developments -------------- ¶9. (SBU) DDRRR officials dropped leaflets into more than a dozen FDLR areas on February 12. MONUC sources stated that DDRRR has received greater resources, and that cooperation between DDRRR and MONUC's military side is excellent. In a minor setback, DDRRR Head of Office Bruno Donat reported that, although FDLR Lt. Colonel Edmond Garamba had surrendered, FDLR commanders have announced that Garamba had been lured into a meeting with GDRC officials, when he was arrested. ¶10. (SBU) MONUC reported that approximately 200 FDLR troops surrendered to DDRRR at Bunyakiri on February 8. ¶11. (SBU) MONUC reported that DDRRR repatriated 327 Rwandan Hutus, including 63 ex-combatants from Bukavu on February 9. ¶12. (SBU) Comment: Despite lingering concerns about the military, integration, and repatriation processes, most observers agree that the trends in Eastern DRC are positive. Few believe the RDF will depart the DRC by the end of February, but most agree that the GoR and GDRC can finesse the exit date. The GDRC survived the initial shock and opposition to the Rwandan entry. Continued good relations and operational success will be key to longer-term stability and peace. End Comment. Political Developments -------------- ¶13. (SBU) MONUC Kinshasa told post that a delegation of 30 local chiefs (Mwami)from North Kivu had been invited to Gisenyi recently to receive a briefing on the objectives of the operations. The group is presently in Kinshasa to hopefully meet with President Kabila. MONUC speculated that both the GoR and GDRC most likely hope to enlist PR support from the Mwamis, perhaps even to include support for any extension of the RDF on DRC territory. KINSHASA 00000149 002 OF 002 Operation Lightning Thunder -------------- ¶14. (SBU) MONUC reported that LRA rebels ambushed FARDC troops on February 10 at Sambian, 25 kilometers south of Faradje, injuring five. FARDC sources claimed that 11 LRA troops were killed. ¶15. (SBU) USAID/DART noted that the inability of humanitarian staff to access vulnerable populations, due to insecurity, represents the primary obstacle to addressing humanitarian needs. ¶16. (SBU) According to OCHA statistics, the LRA abducted 540 children between December 2007 and January 17, 2009. ¶17. (SBU) UNICEF has voiced concern about increasingly restricted access to safe drinking water for the estimated 50,000 IDP's in Dungu. Developments in Ituri -------------- ¶18. (SBU) MONUC Kinshasa reported that on February 6 unidentified militia killed a local chief in Ituri District. There were also unconfirmed reports that elements in FARDC uniforms attacked the village of Bayna on February 7. GARVELINK