EASTERN DRC NOTES - APRIL 14

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000370 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - APRIL 14 REFS: (A) Kinshasa 362; (B) Kinshasa 309 ¶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. Political and Security Situation -------------- ¶2. (SBU) General Amuli, who will oversee Operation Kimia II against the FDLR, is currently in Bukavu planning FARDC deployments. MONUC is encouraged that the FARDC leadership appears to be taking an active role in operational planning. ¶3. (U) Radio Okapi reports that "relative calm" has returned to Lunyasenge, a village on the shores of Lake Edward, where a firefight between FARDC and PARECO forces took place on April 12. A group of PARECO apparently attacked FARDC positions in Lunyasenge, but were repulsed after a three-hour battle. FARDC sources claim the group was a PARECO-FDLR coalition. PARECO "General" La Fontaine, who is presently in Goma, maintained that the group was not under his command. ¶4. (SBU) MONUC patrols in Rwindi and Kiwanja came under fire on April 9 and 10; MONUC suspects FDLR elements. In South Kivu, Mai Mai Yakatumba troops reportedly clashed with Banyamulenge troops in Kalungi, west of Mwenza. ¶5. (SBU) MONUC reported that the FARDC has commenced operations north of Tchey in Ituri against the Popular Front for Justice in Congo (FPJC). According to the Administrator of Irumu Territory, combat has taken place in several villages in the area, most notably at Ero and Bukiringi. MONUC is providing logistical support. Humanitarian Situation -------------- ¶6. (SBU) According to OCHA statistics, there are now 181,850 IDPs in Haut-Ulele, as well as 15,581 refugees in neighboring countries for a total of 197,431 displaced by LRA depredations. DDRRR -------------- ¶7. (SBU) An estimated 300 FDLR cadre contacted MONUC near Ntoto (south of Kashebere) to enquire about the possibility of entering the DDRRR program. If these additional 300 enter DDRRR, the total number of repatriated rebels would reach approximately 900. Uvira Jail Break -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Following an investigation into the prison break in Uvira (ref A),authorities report that 8 of the attackers died and two were captured. One police officer and two FARDC troops died, with ten wounded. Fourteen of the prisoners have been recaptured. According to MONUC, 7 FNL cadre were among the escapees. It does not appear that FDLR troops were among the attackers. The leader of the attack is reportedly the son of a Mai Mai Zabuloni, who apparently paid militia members to participate. ¶9. (SBU) Mai Mai Zabuloni continues to challenge GDRC authority north of Uvira. It appears increasingly unlikely that Zabuloni will integrate into the FARDC, as it previously agreed. Other militia groups remain dissatisfied, particularly with perceived favoritism towards the CNDP. Integration -------------- ¶10. (SBU) The German Government will provide an additional $1 million for the integration process, most likely for salary payments for non-FARDC forces. Integration of armed groups in South Kivu should commence soon. Contingency Planning for Volcanic Eruption -------------- ¶11. (SBU) On April 13, OCHA led a contingency planning meeting to discuss a response, should the Nyamulagira volcano erupt (ref B). OCHA has circulated a draft plan to dozens of NGOs in Goma and will follow-up soon to receive feedback. An Italian scientist, who has inspected data from the nearby volcanoes, concluded that Nyangoro, the volcano that devastated Goma in 2002, is unlikely to erupt in the near-term. Nyamulagira, which is 30 kilometers from Goma, could KINSHASA 00000370 002 OF 002 erupt in the coming weeks, but it poses no danger for Goma (Note: Nyamulagira has erupted 34 times since 1882. End note). GARVELINK