Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KINSHASA149
2009-02-13 14:01:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:  

EASTERN DRC NOTES - FEBRUARY 13

Tags:  PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG 
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OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #0149/01 0441401
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 131401Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9192
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 000149 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: 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.

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