Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KINSHASA377
2009-04-16 10:45:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:
EASTERN DRC NOTES - APRIL 16
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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
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
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