FORCED LABOR BY THE FARDC

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 000398

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/22/2019
TAGS: PHUM KPKO KTIP MOPS CG
SUBJECT: FORCED LABOR BY THE FARDC

Classified By: Ambassador William J. Garvelink for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d)


1. (C) Summary: FARDC troops are reportedly forcing
civilians, including children, to act as their porters in
North and South Kivu, according to the UN Joint Human Rights
Office. The Human Rights Office has also observed new cases
of rape and pillaging by FARDC troops. MONUC's support of
the FARDC with food rations is problematic, as distribution
points have become a focal point for forced labor
commandeered by the FARDC. An environment of impunity will
continue to grow within the FARDC as long as its capacity to
police itself and carry out logistics remains weak. End
Summary.


2. (C) FARDC troops frequently force civilians to act as
porters and carry loads over long distances in North and
South Kivu, according to Todd Howland, Director of the UN
Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO). Howland recently told
PolOff that MONUC is currently providing food rations to
FARDC troops in eight of twenty MONUC compounds in the
region. Instead of providing transport or carrying their own
food rations during troop movements, FARDC troops are forcing
civilians, including children, at gunpoint to carry the
rations over long distances. Those who resist are severely
beaten. Some of the child porters are even retained by FARDC
troops after they deliver the food. This phenomenon has
caused local populations to move away from MONUC compounds,
fearing they will be used as forced labor.


3. (U) At an April 22 human rights meeting with the
diplomatic corps, Howland said that the UNJHRO has also
observed new cases of rape and pillaging by FARDC soldiers in
Maniema and North and South Kivu. He attributes the recent
upswing in FARDC abuses to a greater concentration of FARDC
troops in the east and to a greater frequency of FARDC troop
movements. (Note: Howland said that there are currently
45,000 FARDC troops in North Kivu alone and that there is an
ever changing command structure. End Note.)


4. (C) This situation has become very problematic for MONUC
because it is obliged to support FARDC troops and also
protect civilians. According to Howland, MONUC has discussed
this problem internally and has decided to continue with the
food rations, especially with the Kimia II operation on the
verge of starting. He warned that MONUC risks becoming an
accomplice to FARDC abuses.


5. (C) Comment: The forced labor accusations add to an
already growing list of abuses being committed by FARDC
troops. MONUC's dual mandate of supporting the FARDC and
protecting civilians is a very delicate balancing act. An
environment of impunity will continue to grow within the
FARDC as long as command and control, logistics, lodging, and
regular payment of salaries remain weak or non-existent. End
Comment.
GARVELINK