EASTERN DRC NOTES - MAY 11

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000460 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - MAY 11 ¶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. Security Situation -------------- ¶2. (SBU) MONUC reports that the LRA ambushed a group of Sudanese refugees near the village of Banda in Haut Uele, killing one. The FARDC reportedly rescued two women and two children from the LRA near Doruma on May 5. ¶3. (SBU) In Ituri, a local chief accused the FARDC of killing one woman and three girls near Aveba (reported May 6). A FARDC soldier by the name of Lunga Ngoy has been taken into custody for further investigation. Also in Ituri, the bodies of eight members of a local militia were recently found, but no further details with regards to this situation are available. ¶4. (SBU) A large group of FDLR fighters ambushed an FARDC unit near Pinga in North Kivu on May 6, killing four. In the same area, the chief of Kalimbo village blamed the FARDC for two civilian deaths. Residents also complain that the FARDC regularly presses them into duty as porters. ¶5. (SBU) According to a local administrator, FDLR elements attacked the village of Bulindi, six kilometers west of Kanyabayonga, early morning May 9. FARDC troops responded, with MONUC forces securing the population. Two FARDC soldiers were killed, one civilian wounded, and 130 houses in Bulindi were burned down. ¶6. (SBU) The FARDC has conducted an investigation into the looting of several IRC vehicles near Numbi in South Kivu and reportedly made an arrest. The investigation is continuing. ¶7. (SBU) MONUC has received unconfirmed reports that the FARDC is recruiting young boys in Kambali, northeast of Bunyakiri, and giving them arms and officer ranks without training. ¶8. (SBU) MONUC clarified a recent media report that the UN has freed 23 child soldiers. The report refers to child soldiers, primarily from the CNDP, who were freed during the integration process in North Kivu. It does not refer to the 100 child soldiers identified approximately two weeks ago by MONUC observers. ¶9. (SBU) In the South Kivu towns of Kavuma and Kabunambo, FARDC troops are apparently deserting with their weapons, joining an armed group, then reporting to a regroupment center to rejoin the FARDC with a higher rank. The practice was uncovered when the regroupment center officials noticed that the weapons turned in were registered to the FARDC. ¶10. (SBU) The seven Mai Mai generals who recently rejected the peace plan they signed on March 23 have written a letter to President Kabila and Minister of International and Regional Cooperation Raymond Tshibanda, demanding six seats in the national Comite de Suivi (Note: one of the generals has reportedly dropped out of this group. End note). A French diplomat in Goma advised the generals that they can expect no more than two or three seats, but they have apparently ignored his advice. ¶11. (SBU) Colonel Guy Deacon officially assumed command of Goma's MONUC military headquarters on May 7, replacing Colonel James Cunliffe. Colonel Deacon is expected to stay in Goma for six months. GARVELINK