EASTERN DRC NOTES - APRIL 16

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000377 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - APRIL 16 ¶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. Anti-LRA Operations -------------- ¶2. (U) According to media sources, Ugandan forces engaged the LRA in a clash at Banda on April 10. Media, quoting local Congolese government officials, reported that at least five Congolese scouts were killed by LRA elements as they led UPDF troops to a suspected LRA hideout in the area. During the ensuing battle, the UPDF commander was also killed and the LRA killed "many hostages," whom the group had been holding. Security Situation -------------- ¶3. (SBU) MONUC reported that 16 FDLR forces were killed in a battle with FARDC forces south of Kashabere. FARDC forces apparently sustained one casualty. ¶4. (SBU) MONUC Kinshasa reported that the FARDC has launched small scale operations to flush FDLR cadres out of the bush in Katale and Lusamambo. The FDLR, on the other hand, has carried out attacks on FARDC positions at Kibua, Kaseke, Bugote, and Kibungu. According to MONUC, the FDLR continues to target and ambush isolated FARDC posts/vehicles, rather than engage in larger battles. Political Situation -------------- ¶5. (U) A tripartite meeting including the DRC, Rwanda, and the UNHCR was held April 14-15 in Goma to discuss the conditions necessary for the repatriation of over 52,000 Congolese refugees in Rwanda and more than 100,000 Rwandan refugees in the DRC. Rigobert Mupondo, Permanent Secretary of the Congolese National Refugee Commission, underscored that the meeting aimed to reach a compromise on a legal framework to allow for the return of refugees to their respective countries. His Rwandan counterpart, Innocent Ngango, noted that, while Rwanda continued to treat Congolese refugees well, Rwandan refugees remained virtual hostages to the FDLR. The tripartite called for four main actions: continuing to improve security conditions; undertaking a sensitization campaign; improving work methods; and drafting a legal document to facilitate repatriation. ¶6. (U) Prosper Birhakaheka, South Kivu Minister of Health, following a visit to an IDP camp in Minova (near the North Kivu border),announced that the provincial government would provide 39 tons in food assistance to the more than 3,000 households in the IDP camps in the area. During his visit, "camp leaders" reportedly told Birhakaheka that they were ready to return to their homes "without conditions." Birhakaheka indicated that the IDPs were following the improving security situation in North Kivu closely, anticipating an eventual return to their homes. Integration -------------- ¶7. (U) In Uvira, at least 132 Mai Mai Shikito fighters came to the Luberizi integration center on April 14, handing in 42 guns. Other combatants, from Lemera, Lubarika, Bwegera, and Katogota, are apparently awaiting transportation to the Luberizi center, which officially opened April 15. Humanitarian Situation -------------- ¶8. (U) OCHA Spokesman Nestor Yombo Djema announced on April 15 that OCHA remains concerned about the possible humanitarian consequences of Kimia II military operations. Yombo singled out the Kalehe-Nabibwe axis, Shabunda, and the Lolingo-Kikulube axis as likely areas for massive population displacement. Yombo also called on FARDC forces to desist from looting and raping of the local population. ¶9. (U) Traditional chiefs have warned of growing humanitarian problems in certain areas of Orientale Province due to continued LRA actions. Severely over-crowded villages at Ngilima (25,000 people) and Baeradi (20,000) are at risk for the spread of diseases, including HIV/AIDS, according to local sources. Caritas, one of the few aid organizations operating in the area, acknowledged the problem, but also pointed to access limitations due to on-going insecurity. KINSHASA 00000377 002 OF 002 GARVELINK