EASTERN DRC NOTES - FEBRUARY 19

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000164

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - FEBRUARY 19


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.

Operations against the FDLR
--------------


2. (SBU) The 21st FARDC brigade and an unknown number of RDF
soldiers have taken positions approximately six kilometers south of
Hombo. MONUC plans to establish a Temporary Operating Base in
Hombo, giving the coalition a significant presence just south of the
North Kivu/South Kivu border. The rugged terrain could emerge as a
combat zone as the FDLR has a significant number of fighters only a
few kilometers to the east. The FARDC continues to move troops into
the border area to prevent FDLR units from moving into North Kivu.


3. (SBU) MONUC is investigating reports that 15 civilians were
killed and 13 wounded in the small village of Nyakabasa, just south
of Kibua in North Kivu. IDP's fleeing from the area said the FDLR
was responsible for the retaliation attacks. IDP's also report that
FDLR cadre burned 14-15 huts in Kapopo, west of the Lake Kivu town
of Minova (Note: MONUC investigated previous reports of FDLR
atrocities closer to Walikale, and found no evidence of killings.
Some retaliatory attacks have occurred, but false reports have also
surfaced. End note).


4. (SBU) FDLR forces moved out of Pinga and Kibua as RDF and FARDC
units moved in, but the rebels severely damaged the Peti Bridge
outside of Pinga before leaving. MONUC has flown approximately 160
FARDC soldiers and ammunition supplies into Pinga town. MONUC
reported that about half of the Kibua residents who fled, expecting
fighting, have already returned. MONUC also flew over 500 ex-CNDP
fighters into Walikale in the past week, but earlier reports that
these elements (under Colonel Makenga) were acting autonomously
proved false. They may not be fully integrated, but are reportedly
cooperating fully with the FARDC and reinforcing the 85th Brigade.


5. (SBU) There has been no fighting or RDF/FARDC movements further
south of the North Kivu/South Kivu border, but FDLR elements have
reportedly harassed the population, preventing movement and taxing
and looting local communities. MONUC's South Kivu Brigade stated
that an FDLR battalion has formed up at Ngandu, a small village
southwest of Bukavu.


6. (SBU) MONUC briefers stated that RDF forces plan to commence
withdrawal from the DRC on February 25-26.

Integration Update
--------------


7. (SBU) The regroupment center at Mubambiro has begun receiving
PARECO and Mai Mai cadre, and a EUSEC visitor to the site reports
619 ex-combatants have now gathered there, expecting integration
into the FARDC. The ex-combatants handed in a total of 110 weapons,
but then reportedly demanded them back to protest the lack of
services at Mubambiro.

Refugee and CNDP Issues
--------------


8. (SBU) Civilian sources within MONUC advise that RDF units may
have been ordering communities in Western Walikale territory to
leave their homes "not because of fighting, but because the area is
needed for the settlement of returning refugees" (Note: MONUC is on
high alert over this report which, while possibly exaggerated or
simply untrue, reportedly stemmed from credible sources. End note).



9. (SBU) Resentment reportedly remains high among CNDP/Nkunda
sympathizers with respect to how the new CNDP management was
installed, its lack of recent DRC experience or recognizable
Congolese character, and the ways they seem too transparently to act
as Rwandan proxies. Separately, it was reported that the GoR was
irritated by the recent pro-Nkunda demonstrations staged in the
camps. The camps have reportedly been sealed off, with what had
been normal movements for trade and social purposes halted.


10. (SBU) Amid heavy media coverage, former North Kivu Governor
Serufuli, who according to one report may take over soon from
current Governor Paluku, visited a displacement camp and staged a
"return" to areas of Rutshuru of approximately eight truckloads of
displaced. OCHA reported that one of Serufuli's representatives has
been moving among displaced persons in Minova, trying to convince
them to return to their home areas.

KINSHASA 00000164 002 OF 002



Engineering Improvements
--------------


11. (SBU) MONUC presented a review of UNOPS engineering operations
on February 18, which included the following:

-- improvements to the runway and airport at Beni;

-- improvements to the runway and airport access roads at Dungu;

-- improvements to roads to the west of Lake Albert;

-- continuing work to clear and improve the Sake-Masisi-Nyabiondo
road;

-- expansion of the Goma fuel farm;

-- improvements of the Uvira-Baraka road;

-- improvements of the Mitti-Hombo road; and

-- repair of two bridges.

FRF Hostage Crisis
--------------


12. (SBU) The FRF fighters who abducted a South Kivu Minister and
Administrator over three weeks ago have agreed to release the
hostages on February 20 without conditions. Abbe Malu Malu and
Bizima Karahe helped negotiate the agreement at Kimombo, along with
a senior MONUC official and a USG contractor. The FRF remains a
volatile force, however, and has made three demands before it
continues its participation in the Amani Peace Process: 1) return of
two "defectors" (who allegedly tried to free the hostages by force,
resulting in the death of an FRF major); 2) return of the arrested
(now freed) Colonel Twemba to the Haut Plateau; and 3) return of
arrested UK/Burundi dual national Dr. Jean Baptiste to the UK.

Risks to DDRRR
--------------


13. (SBU) DDRRR Head of Office told the International Facilitation
team on February 18 that the DDRRR office in Pinga received a
threatening letter on February 14 that claimed it would kill anyone
who participated in the program along with their families. On
February 16, a local chief who met with DDRRR officials in Pinga the
previous day was found dead in a nearby forest. A local man who had
worked with DDRRR in Kasiki for several years as an envoy to the RUD
was kidnapped on February 17 and was found dead on February 18. The
Head of Office noted that DDRRR staff members often take risks to
promote repatriation, but he has stepped up security measures now
that the risks have increased.


14. (SBU) DDRRR Head of Office also noted that 4,000 Rwandans have
been repatriated this year under DDRRR and UNHCR programs, but he
called the domestic DDR program a "disaster" that no longer adheres
to the one man, one weapon rule. DDR centers are "accepting people
without guns and arming them (to join the FARDC). It is nothing
more than FARDC recruitment without disarmament."

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