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