Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KINSHASA193
2009-03-03 07:19:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:  

FDLR EXACTS RETRIBUTIONS ON NORTH KIVU CIVILIAN POPULATION

Tags:  PHUM PREL CG 
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VZCZCXRO7505
OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #0193 0620719
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 030719Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9262
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 000193 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL CG

SUBJECT: 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.

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