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