EASTERN DRC NOTES - APRIL 3: AMNESTY LAW STALLED IN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000319 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - APRIL 3: AMNESTY LAW STALLED IN SENATE ¶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. Amnesty Law Still Pending -------------- ¶2. (U) On April 2, the DRC Senate unexpectedly did not take a vote on the draft Amnesty Law, as expected. Some senators reportedly were concerned that the amnesty could be extended to acts that occurred in Bas Congo, Katanga, and even Kinshasa. Senator Henri Thomas Lokondo reportedly argued that the law cannot be general; rather it should be applied within the framework of the Goma Conference. The next step is for a Senate-National Assembly commission to review the draft law, which the National Assembly had already passed. If a consensus is not possible, the National Assembly will decide on the final wording. Security Situation -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The LRA has attacked the towns of Aba, Durba and Watsa, not far from the border with Uganda. MONUC has not received reports of casualties. Guatemalan Special Forces have deployed to Niangara, just west of Dungu (Note: to our knowledge, this is the first actual MONUC deployment outside of Dungu since Operation Lightning Thunder began. End Note). ¶4. (U) Local press has reported that the FDLR has reestablished a base of operations near Nyamilima, north of Rutshuru, and is abusing the local population, who can no longer work their fields. The population has asked for the assistance of the FARDC 18th brigade, recently deployed to the area. ¶5. (SBU) Further south in Ituri, MONUC is providing logistical assistance to the FARDC to recapture Tchey, which was recently taken by the FRPI. Additionally, media reports that 87 prisoners escaped from prison in Bunia. MONUC sources comment that this could have been expected, given the dilapidated state of the prison. Integration -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Father Apollinaire Malu Malu, who heads the GDRC's peace efforts, hopes to begin the process of integration in South Kivu as quickly as possible. He would like to open the camp at Luberizi next Monday, but needs funding from the GDRC. Coordinating Kimia II -------------- ¶7. (SBU) MONUC and FARDC commanders held meetings in Bukavu on March 31 and in Goma on April 1 to coordinate Operation Kimia II against the FDLR. MONUC Force Commander Gaye attended both meetings. Unfortunately, General Amuli, who is reportedly scheduled to take over command of FARDC forces from General Amisi, did not. The two forces reached a number of agreements: -- MONUC will deploy liaison officers to lower levels in the FARDC, perhaps even to the company level. In previous operations, MONUC has depended on coordination at the brigade headquarters level, which proved less than effective for supporting FARDC operations in the field. -- MONUC and the FARDC will decide on "zones of neutralization" where they will concentrate their efforts against the FDLR. -- MONUC will provide rations to FARDC troops participating in Operation Kimia II, but requested a written plan for deliveries. -- MONUC will establish a joint coordination center with the FARDC. -- Force Commander Gaye insisted on weekly updates to maps detailing FDLR positions. -- The FARDC agreed to provide MONUC with a list of priority areas for operations. -- MONUC and the FARDC will coordinate planning for protection of civilians in areas where the FDLR may retaliate against the local population. ¶8. (SBU) The FARDC plans to deploy 3,500 soldiers to South Kivu, initially positioning them at Miti (near Lake Kivu),then moving KINSHASA 00000319 002 OF 002 them south along the Bunyakiri - Hombo axis (Note: This is an area with a heavy FDLR presence, perhaps three brigades. End Note). The FARDC will also send 2,500 troops to Kindu, in Maniema province. MONUC sources were puzzled by this deployment, which is far to the west of FDLR concentrations that start around Shabunda in South Kivu. ¶9. (SBU) Gaye reportedly lectured commanders from both militaries on the need to change their mindset and work together. He hectored the FARDC to put its orders and requests in writing, adding that, "you can't command an 8,000 member army with a cell phone." MONUC sources said the turnout was impressive, with most FARDC commanders (including many former CNDP) in attendance. ¶10. (SBU) Comment: In recent months, FARDC and GDRC decision-makers have been less receptive to outside intervention. MONUC seeks to reverse this trend before any new major operation is launched. MONUC attendees at the meeting report that the FARDC does not appear to have done any logistical planning, and does not have a strategic concept for defeating the FDLR. MONUC and the FARDC need each other for Operation Kimia II to succeed. The recent meetings may help build a basis for cooperation, but the two militaries are literally and figuratively speaking different languages. End Comment. GARVELINK