EASTERN DRC NOTES - MARCH 23: GDRC-CNDP AGREEMENT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000266 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - MARCH 23: GDRC-CNDP AGREEMENT APPARENTLY READY FOR SIGNATURE ¶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. GDRC-CNDP Agreement -------------- ¶2. (SBU) MONUC informed post on March 23 that SRSG Alan Doss would fly to Goma the same day to witness the signature of an agreement between the GDRC and CNDP. Septel will detail further information about this agreement. Security Situation in the Kivus and Ituri -------------- ¶3. (SBU) MONUC patrols in North Kivu reported that two companies of FARDC troops attacked FDLR positions northwest of Tongo. MONUC is investigating the incident, but has no confirmed reports of casualties. ¶4. (SBU) In recent days, FDLR fighters have reportedly looted in villages to the north-west of Bukavu and to the south of Bukavu. Various NGO's report that the Burundian FNL has also been active along the shoreline between Bukavu and Uvira, with one confirmed attack in the small village of Kigurwe. ¶5. (U) Radio Okapi reports that FPJC fighters attacked a FARDC position at Bahiti (approximately 40 kilometers south-west of Bunia) on March 19. A MONUC report claimed that six soldiers had been killed in the attack, but a FARDC commander only confirmed that one soldier had died, adding that two FPJC fighters had been killed and others wounded. Integration -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Statistics on integrated FARDC/CNDP units appear to be inconsistent. One monitoring group reports that 5,492 PARECO fighters have been integrated, along with 600-800 other Mai Mai elements. The FARDC generally reports integrated totals to be in the 23,000-25,000 range. However, earlier claims that most FARDC units had been integrated down to the platoon level have proven false. Rapid integration was often done by maintaining distinct CNDP and FARDC units up to the battalion level. The most reliable figures probably come from the GDRC office responsible for brassage (SMI),which has actual names in a database with issued ID's. They report 3,418 CNDP, 5,458 FARDC, 1,448 PARECO and 352 "Other Armed Groups" have been integrated, for a total of 10,676 (Note: These figures date from March 3 and may have increased. End Note). ¶7. (SBU) A source close to the SRSG reports that the GDRC and GOR will meet next week to discuss Laurent Nkunda's future. South Kivu Mai Mai -------------- ¶8. (SBU) In South Kivu, approximately a dozen Mai Mai groups claim to have a total of 28,864 "troops," although these figures are undoubtedly inflated. A realistic total of committed followers is less than 10,000, and much less if one counts only fighters with guns (Comment: However, the incentive for an unemployed young man to join an armed group, especially if they are offered positions in the FARDC, could increase the numbers rapidly. End Comment). EU Rep Briefs on Europe's Thinking -------------- ¶9. (SBU) EU Special Representative Roeland van de Geer told representatives of the International Facilitation in Goma that the EU wants to move quickly on SSR and is seeking resources from member states. He noted that the MOD seems to be dragging its feet on this issue and stressed the need for coordination among the many countries who have committed to train the FARDC or for other SSR programs. The EU is also stepping up legal efforts to pressure FDLR leaders in Europe who continue to promote armed resistance in the DRC. The EU will seek to establish a code of conduct for resource extraction companies and is prepared to "name and shame" companies that continue to operate "criminal companies." The EU will send a mission to the Kivus in April to investigate how to address sexual violence in the region. Operation Lightning Thunder -------------- KINSHASA 00000266 002 OF 002 ¶10. (SBU) MONUC believes Joseph Kony and approximately 135 followers may be west of Garamba Park and moving in the direction of the Central African Republic. Another LRA group estimated at 35 is located to the northwest of Kony's group, and is also moving toward CAR. A third group, possibly the one responsible for the recent attack on Banda, appears to be moving east, possibly to link up with Kony's forces. MONUC believes the LRA forces remaining in Garamba Park have split into four groups and are moving south. ¶11. (SBU) Radio Okapi reported that the LRA attacked the localities of Yanguma and Nyangara (located more than 600 kilometers northeast of Kisangani) on March 19 resulting in 12 persons killed, 40 kidnapped, and the remainder fleeing the area. ¶12. (SBU) A well-informed NGO contact told us that he had heard unconfirmed reports that at Banda there are Antanov aircraft, most likely from Sudan, air dropping supplies to the LRA. GARVELINK