Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KINSHASA169
2009-02-20 13:19:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:
EASTERN DRC NOTES - FEBRUARY 20
how-toVZCZCXRO7981 OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHKI #0169 0511319 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 201319Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9228 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 KINSHASA 000169
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - FEBRUARY 20
REF: KINSHASA 164
UNCLAS KINSHASA 000169
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - FEBRUARY 20
REF: KINSHASA 164
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.
FDLR Operations
--------------
2. (SBU) Goma PolOff and post have received information from
separate sources confirming that there will be a ceremony on
February 25 in Goma to commemorate the RDF withdrawal from the DRC.
3. (SBU) MONUC Kinshasa noted that, if the RDF withdraws from the
DRC by the end of February, it is highly unlikely that the joint
operations will extend into South Kivu. MONUC continues to stress
to the FARDC to prepare for post-military operation planning, but
MONUC is concerned that the FARDC has no real post-RDF plan.
4. (SBU) According to MONUC Kinshasa, the individual, serving as a
liaison to FDLR-RUD who was killed February 18 (reftel),was a
member of the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC). Our contact said
that RUD elements might have killed the go-between in an attempt to
dissuade repatriation efforts with RUD combatants.
Integration Issues
--------------
5. (SBU) MONUC Kinshasa noted that the problem of non-payment of
salary for FARDC soldiers could seriously complicate integration
efforts. The issue is symptomatic of larger DRC corruption and
salary disbursement problems. Therefore, our MONUC contact
cautioned that any solution, which might focus exclusively on
compensating newly integrated CNDP forces, would undoubtedly create
tensions with mainstream FARDC soldiers.
Political Developments
--------------
6. (SBU) MONUC Kinshasa commented that former RDC-Goma North Kivu
Governor Eugene Serufuli has recently visited the East, promoting
the concept of "la Rwandaphonie" (i.e. traditional Tutsi and Hutu
domination of the Petit Nord). Our MONUC contact suggested there
could be a constitutionally legitimate mechanism, within the
framework of the DRC's decentralization process, to achieve a
division of the Grand Nord and Petit Nord, a concept some have
advocated. (Note: As post understands, the DRC's plans to expand
from 11 provinces to 26 under decentralization do not include a
break-up of North Kivu. End Note.)
7. (SBU) MONUC Kinshasa opined that the recent changes in the North
Kivu provincial government, including the inclusion of CNDP figures,
was most likely planned (probably with Bosco's consent) well in
advance. According to our MONUC contact, the recent changes in the
North Kivu cabinet did not alter its ethnic balance, but the CNDP
did obtain key posts-justice and human rights.
8. (SBU) MONUC reported that Raymond Tshibanda, Minister of
International and Regional Cooperation and newly named CNDP head,
Desire Kamanzi, are holding talks February 20 in Goma. MONUC is not
participating.
Operation Lightning Thunder
--------------
9. (SBU) MONUC Kinshasa characterized reports of UPDF success
against the LRA as overly optimistic. A senior MONUC Political
Officer suggested to us that the LRA would persist indefinitely
unless LRA leader Kony is killed.
10. (SBU) MONUC Force Command reported that there are 4,000 FARDC
troops in Haut Ulele in support of Operation Lightning Thunder.
MONUC estimated that the LRA now consists of 50-200 rebels,
dispersed into 6-7 groups.
GARVELINK
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - FEBRUARY 20
REF: KINSHASA 164
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.
FDLR Operations
--------------
2. (SBU) Goma PolOff and post have received information from
separate sources confirming that there will be a ceremony on
February 25 in Goma to commemorate the RDF withdrawal from the DRC.
3. (SBU) MONUC Kinshasa noted that, if the RDF withdraws from the
DRC by the end of February, it is highly unlikely that the joint
operations will extend into South Kivu. MONUC continues to stress
to the FARDC to prepare for post-military operation planning, but
MONUC is concerned that the FARDC has no real post-RDF plan.
4. (SBU) According to MONUC Kinshasa, the individual, serving as a
liaison to FDLR-RUD who was killed February 18 (reftel),was a
member of the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC). Our contact said
that RUD elements might have killed the go-between in an attempt to
dissuade repatriation efforts with RUD combatants.
Integration Issues
--------------
5. (SBU) MONUC Kinshasa noted that the problem of non-payment of
salary for FARDC soldiers could seriously complicate integration
efforts. The issue is symptomatic of larger DRC corruption and
salary disbursement problems. Therefore, our MONUC contact
cautioned that any solution, which might focus exclusively on
compensating newly integrated CNDP forces, would undoubtedly create
tensions with mainstream FARDC soldiers.
Political Developments
--------------
6. (SBU) MONUC Kinshasa commented that former RDC-Goma North Kivu
Governor Eugene Serufuli has recently visited the East, promoting
the concept of "la Rwandaphonie" (i.e. traditional Tutsi and Hutu
domination of the Petit Nord). Our MONUC contact suggested there
could be a constitutionally legitimate mechanism, within the
framework of the DRC's decentralization process, to achieve a
division of the Grand Nord and Petit Nord, a concept some have
advocated. (Note: As post understands, the DRC's plans to expand
from 11 provinces to 26 under decentralization do not include a
break-up of North Kivu. End Note.)
7. (SBU) MONUC Kinshasa opined that the recent changes in the North
Kivu provincial government, including the inclusion of CNDP figures,
was most likely planned (probably with Bosco's consent) well in
advance. According to our MONUC contact, the recent changes in the
North Kivu cabinet did not alter its ethnic balance, but the CNDP
did obtain key posts-justice and human rights.
8. (SBU) MONUC reported that Raymond Tshibanda, Minister of
International and Regional Cooperation and newly named CNDP head,
Desire Kamanzi, are holding talks February 20 in Goma. MONUC is not
participating.
Operation Lightning Thunder
--------------
9. (SBU) MONUC Kinshasa characterized reports of UPDF success
against the LRA as overly optimistic. A senior MONUC Political
Officer suggested to us that the LRA would persist indefinitely
unless LRA leader Kony is killed.
10. (SBU) MONUC Force Command reported that there are 4,000 FARDC
troops in Haut Ulele in support of Operation Lightning Thunder.
MONUC estimated that the LRA now consists of 50-200 rebels,
dispersed into 6-7 groups.
GARVELINK