EASTERN DRC NOTES - MARCH 16: WITHDRAWAL OF

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000241

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - MARCH 16: WITHDRAWAL OF
THE UPDF


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.

UPDF Withdrawal
--------------


2. (SBU) Somewhat unexpectedly, the withdrawal of UPDF forces from
the DRC has begun following a March 15 ceremony in Dungu, at which
members of Kinshasa's diplomatic corps were present (Note: DATT
represented the USG. Septel will provide more details on ceremony.
End note). MONUC and the GDRC announced the withdrawal over the
weekend. While acknowledging that the LRA continued to fight on in
several areas, GDRC Spokesman Lambert Mende proclaimed that the
joint operations "had smashed 80% of the LRA's war machine." Mende
added that the region of Haut-Ulele was more secure now because of
the operations, claiming that most LRA activity was now in Southern
Sudan. Mende stressed that the FARDC, with MONUC support, would
continue to pursue the LRA until the group is eradicated. DRC
Defense Minister Charles Mwando Nsimba highlighted to the press that
the UPDF withdrawal would take eight days.

FARDC/FDLR Clashes
--------------


3. (U) FARDC and FDLR elements clashed on March 14 at Mbuavinywa,
200 kilometers southwest of Butmbo in Lubero Territory. According
to local civil society sources, four civilians were killed from
stray fire during the clashes.


4. (U) In a March 13 declaration, SRSG Doss underscored that MONUC
would continue operations, in cooperation with the FARDC, against
the FDLR to protect the local population and "to cut the FDLR off
from its illegitimate sources of financing." Doss reiterated
MONUC's call for FDLR combatants to report to MONUC bases to undergo
DDRRR processing.

Facilitation Meeting with General Sumbeiywo
--------------


5. (SBU) General Sumbeiywo, special advisor to the Obasanjo
mediation, stressed to members of the International Facilitation in
Goma on March 13 that control of the GDRC-CNDP peace process should
remain with Obasanjo. He said that Obasanjo believes that the GDRC,
by isolating this process from other North Kivu dynamics, is
ensuring failure of the talks. The Mediation will not be party to
an agreement that does not address crucial issues of sustainability
and inclusiveness.


6. (SBU) Sumbeiywo added that other stakeholders will also need to
be involved. If the proposed agreement involves a significant
military integration plan, for example, the mediators will raise the
issue of funding, what structures are in place to implement it, and
whether donors are on board with the plan. The donors, he said,
will need to becme directly involved in this process at some
point.


7. (SBU) International Facilitation members tressed the dangers of
a sweeping deal between te GDRC and the "new CNDP" that could be
perceive as having been done behind the backs and at the epense of
other groups in the Kivus, including the "old CNDP." Sumbeiywo
appeared well aware of these dangers, replying that it was the
Mediation's intention to ensure that the process be
far more inclusive and transparent. Along these lines, the
Mediation planned to meet with the local population in both North
and South Kivu, including IDP's.

GARVELINK