FDLR EXACTS RETRIBUTIONS ON NORTH KIVU CIVILIAN POPULATION

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000193 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL CG SUBJECT: FDLR EXACTS RETRIBUTIONS ON NORTH KIVU CIVILIAN POPULATION ¶1. (SBU) Summary: In response to the joint Congolese and Rwandan defense forces' (FARDC and RDF respectively) operation against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) in North Kivu, the FDLR has already begun to exact retribution on the civilian population. In addition to threatening local government administrators and civilians in Walikale, Masisi, and Lubero territories, the FDLR has followed with arbitrary killings and rapes. In Masisi territory, the FDLR killed seven people in Kibuwa and 29 others in the villages of Manguere, Kipoko, and Kibandu at the end of January. According to the UN Joint Human Rights Office, besides killing a traditional chief in Pinga, Walikale territory, the FDLR has raped 23 women and girls in the same village. In Lubero territory, the UNJHRO received allegations that the FDLR killed 20 people in the village of Irameso for allegedly refusing to submit to extortion. The UNJHRO has also witnessed the phenomenon of FDLR-PARECO joint operations in the looting of villages in Lubero territory. Recent FDLR attacks on civilians in North Kivu reveal the intent of the FDLR leadership to go to any length to avoid repatriation. End comment. ¶2. (U) The FDLR has already begun to exact retributions on the North Kivu civilian population, according to the UNJHRO at a meeting for the diplomatic corps February 18. The UNJHRO is very concerned as it appears that the FDLR is taking a page out of LRA's tactics and taking revenge on the local population in response to the recent joint FARDC-RDF operations. ¶3. (U) In Walikale, Masisi, and Lubero territories the FDLR has been threatening local government administrators and civilians, warning them not to collaborate with the FARDC-RDF. This has escalated when joint operations forces engage the FDLR as the FDLR subsequently has responded with attacks on the local population. Attacks in Masisi Territory -------------- ¶4. (U) According to the UNHRO, following the FARDC-RDF attacks of January 26-27, the FDLR killed seven civilians in Kibuwa. FDLR soldiers prevented the rest of the villagers from fleeing and threatened to kill them too if they tried. In addition, the FDLR massacred 29 civilians and injured more than 30 in similar attacks on the villages of Manguere, Kipoko, and Kibandu. Attacks in Walikale Territory -------------- ¶5. (U) FDLR soldiers killed a traditional chief (chef coutumier) in Pinga on February 14. They had been threatening him and accusing him of aiding the FARDC-RDF. Fearful of his life, he spent the night of February 13 at the MONUC compound in Pinga. The next day, he left the compound and soon after was captured and killed by the FDLR. In addition, the UNJHRO said that following the start of the joint FARDC/RDF operations in mid January, the FDLR has raped 23 women and girls in Pinga. Attacks in Lubero Territory -------------- ¶6. (U) In Lubero Territory, the UNJHRO has received allegations that the FDLR has killed 20 civilians in the village of Irameso. On the edge of a mining zone, the FDLR had been extorting and taxing villagers coming from the mines. Apparently, when a group of civilians refused and protested the demands, the FDLR massacred 20 of them in a brute show of force and intimidation. Also in Lubero Territory, the UNJHRO has witnessed a recent phenomenon of PARECO joining with the FDLR in pillaging local villages, especially the village of Bingui. ¶7. (SBU) Comment: Recent FDLR attacks on civilians in North Kivu reveal the intent of the FDLR leadership to stay put and avoid repatriation. They will go to any length to intimidate and sow fear in the local population. A quick peaceful resolution to the crisis is extremely unlikely. More attacks and retributions on civilians can be expected. End comment. GARVELINK