EASTERN DRC NOTES - FEBRUARY 25

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000176 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - FEBRUARY 25 ¶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. RDF Departure Ceremony -------------- ¶2. (SBU) A large crowd at the Goma Stadium witnessed the February 25 ceremony marking the formal withdrawal of RDF troops from the DRC. According to estimates by Goma PolOff, approximately 1,500 RDF and 300-400 FARDC troops attended the ceremony. ¶3. (SBU) The GDRC and GoR Ministers of Defense and Ministers of Foreign Affairs addressed the crowd, as well as the North Kivu Governor and John Numbi, Head of the DRC National Police. All the speakers emphasized the successful nature of the operations, noting that FDLR effectiveness had been greatly diminished and calling on remaining FDLR elements "to go home." Several speakers stressed the spirit of new cooperation between Kinshasa and Kigali and the restoration of peace in the region. Numbi acknowledged the support of MONUC, while several other speakers said that the responsibility for future security in the region lay with MONUC. Security Situation -------------- ¶4. (SBU) MONUC reported that FARDC and FDLR elements clashed at Kashebere on February 22, when the FDLR attempted to reenter the village. The FARDC repulsed the rebels. The RDF had already withdrawn from the area when the firefight took place. A Goma contact, with good sources in the area, told Goma PolOff that there have been similar FARDC-FDLR skirmishes in other villages in recent days. The FARDC has generally defended the villages and maintained its positions. ¶5. (SBU) Following the RDF withdrawal, MONUC and FARDC will return to the long-planned Operation Kimia. MONUC has trained 11 FARDC battalions for the operation, and will deploy a company of UN troops alongside each FARDC battalion in North and South Kivu. ¶6. (SBU) The operation will have three phases: "Phase 0," which has already begun, involving regroupment and redeployment of MONUC and FARDC troops to vulnerable areas; "Phase 1," which will focus on protection and prevention to continue as long as needed; and "Phase 2," which will commence after 30 days, gradually stepping up military pressure on the FDLR over a four-month period. Integration Issues -------------- ¶7. (SBU) MONUC estimated that, since January 4, a total of 19,256 members of armed groups have entered the integration process, including 4,414 CNDP, approximately 4,000 PARECO, and the remainder various Mai Mai groups. DDRRR, during the same timeframe, has processed 1,256 individuals, including 489 ex-combatants, for repatriation to Rwanda. ¶8. (SBU) Comment: Many observers, who doubted that the RDF would leave by the end of February deadline, have become believers. The consequences are uncertain, especially as FDLR forces have attempted, with increasing frequency, to take back lost territory. Moreover, South Kivu, with the largest FDLR concentration in the region, remains untouched by the operation. Few believe that the FARDC has transformed overnight into a competent fighting machine, but it has improved its performance recently. Perhaps the most hopeful consequence stemming from the operations has been an improved image of Rwanda in the Kivus, which will hopefully facilitate deeper and broader DRC-Rwandan cooperation. End Comment. GARVELINK