Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KINSHASA46
2009-01-15 13:55:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:
EASTERN DRC NOTES - JANUARY 15
how-toVZCZCXRO7682 OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHKI #0046 0151355 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 151355Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9052 INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
UNCLAS KINSHASA 000046
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - JANUARY 15
REF: KINSHASA 39
UNCLAS KINSHASA 000046
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - JANUARY 15
REF: KINSHASA 39
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.
CNDP Internal Discord
--------------
2. (SBU) Precise information regarding the rift within the CNDP
remains elusive. Goma PolOff reported that the information at
reftel alleging that Ntaganda was under house arrest, which a senior
MONUC official provided, is false. The latest assessment from
MONUC's G-2 is that the majority of CNDP commanders and rank and
file remain loyal to Nkunda. MONUC also reports combatant buildups
in Rutshuru and Masisi territories, the strongholds of Nkunda and
Ntaganda, respectively.
3. (SBU) Other MONUC sources allege that the faction allied with
Ntaganda has named Desire Kamanzi as the new CNDP leader at a
meeting this week in Bwiza, Masisi Territory (Note: Kamanzi had
previously been identified as a spokesperson for Ntaganda, and Goma
PolOff reported information that he is Rwandan. End note).
Ntaganda will allegedly remain the CNDP Chief of Staff.
Nairobi Talks
--------------
4. (U) A January 14 press report notes progress in Nairobi between
the GDRC and CNDP delegations. The article quoted Nkunda's
spokesperson as stating that it was possible that the two sides
would sign a cease-fire agreement the same day.
Security Situation in the Kivus
--------------
5. (SBU) Goma PolOff reported information that the FDLR is aware of
the DRC-Rwandan operational plan, and has released public statements
denouncing it. Separately, the DART team provided information from
humanitarian partners that the CNDP has prevented non-food-item
distributions to IDPs in Kitchanga, Masisi Territory, directing the
aid providers to target areas of origin rather than places of
displacement.
6. (SBU) The DART team has also received reports of a growing
number of attacks in recent weeks on commercial vehicles in
CNDP-controlled areas. From January 12 to 13, attacks occurred in
Mabenga and Kalengera, Rutshuru Territory, and on the Mema-Kisuma
axis, Masisi Territory.
7. (SBU) At the January 14 UN security meeting, partners reported
increasing tension in Lubero Territory due to ongoing attempts by
the FARDC to disarm Mai-Mai and PARECO forces. As a result, many
NGO staff members operating in Kirumba and Kayna are now residing at
the MONUC base in the area.
Security Situation in Orientale Province
--------------
8. (SBU) MONUC's Ituri brigade reported that there are 1200 UPDF
soldiers in the DRC, and that the UPDF has deployed to South Sudan.
Separately, MONUC and Human Rights Watch sources provided
information that some villages in the area have organized
self-defense committees in conjunction with the FARDC. These forces
have on at least two occasions beaten back the LRA - one incident
resulted in three LRA fighters killed and five killed in another.
9. (SBU) MONUC reports a total of 38 LRA fighters killed and eight
captured overall. A separate set of 21 LRA combatants have
apparently surrendered to "other forces" (undefined, but not UPDF or
FARDC).
10. (SBU) According to MONUC, on January 11, approximately 50 LRA
fighters attacked the village of Tomate, 75 kilometers southwest of
Faradje, burning down the majority of houses and businesses. No
casualties were reported. Other LRA sightings continue to prompt
new displacement, particularly in areas south of Dungu and towards
Faradje, according to UNHCR.
GARVELINK
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - JANUARY 15
REF: KINSHASA 39
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.
CNDP Internal Discord
--------------
2. (SBU) Precise information regarding the rift within the CNDP
remains elusive. Goma PolOff reported that the information at
reftel alleging that Ntaganda was under house arrest, which a senior
MONUC official provided, is false. The latest assessment from
MONUC's G-2 is that the majority of CNDP commanders and rank and
file remain loyal to Nkunda. MONUC also reports combatant buildups
in Rutshuru and Masisi territories, the strongholds of Nkunda and
Ntaganda, respectively.
3. (SBU) Other MONUC sources allege that the faction allied with
Ntaganda has named Desire Kamanzi as the new CNDP leader at a
meeting this week in Bwiza, Masisi Territory (Note: Kamanzi had
previously been identified as a spokesperson for Ntaganda, and Goma
PolOff reported information that he is Rwandan. End note).
Ntaganda will allegedly remain the CNDP Chief of Staff.
Nairobi Talks
--------------
4. (U) A January 14 press report notes progress in Nairobi between
the GDRC and CNDP delegations. The article quoted Nkunda's
spokesperson as stating that it was possible that the two sides
would sign a cease-fire agreement the same day.
Security Situation in the Kivus
--------------
5. (SBU) Goma PolOff reported information that the FDLR is aware of
the DRC-Rwandan operational plan, and has released public statements
denouncing it. Separately, the DART team provided information from
humanitarian partners that the CNDP has prevented non-food-item
distributions to IDPs in Kitchanga, Masisi Territory, directing the
aid providers to target areas of origin rather than places of
displacement.
6. (SBU) The DART team has also received reports of a growing
number of attacks in recent weeks on commercial vehicles in
CNDP-controlled areas. From January 12 to 13, attacks occurred in
Mabenga and Kalengera, Rutshuru Territory, and on the Mema-Kisuma
axis, Masisi Territory.
7. (SBU) At the January 14 UN security meeting, partners reported
increasing tension in Lubero Territory due to ongoing attempts by
the FARDC to disarm Mai-Mai and PARECO forces. As a result, many
NGO staff members operating in Kirumba and Kayna are now residing at
the MONUC base in the area.
Security Situation in Orientale Province
--------------
8. (SBU) MONUC's Ituri brigade reported that there are 1200 UPDF
soldiers in the DRC, and that the UPDF has deployed to South Sudan.
Separately, MONUC and Human Rights Watch sources provided
information that some villages in the area have organized
self-defense committees in conjunction with the FARDC. These forces
have on at least two occasions beaten back the LRA - one incident
resulted in three LRA fighters killed and five killed in another.
9. (SBU) MONUC reports a total of 38 LRA fighters killed and eight
captured overall. A separate set of 21 LRA combatants have
apparently surrendered to "other forces" (undefined, but not UPDF or
FARDC).
10. (SBU) According to MONUC, on January 11, approximately 50 LRA
fighters attacked the village of Tomate, 75 kilometers southwest of
Faradje, burning down the majority of houses and businesses. No
casualties were reported. Other LRA sightings continue to prompt
new displacement, particularly in areas south of Dungu and towards
Faradje, according to UNHCR.
GARVELINK