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).

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