EASTERN DRC NOTES - MAY 15

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000471 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - MAY 15 REF: KINSHASA 465 ¶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. South Kivu Integration -------------- ¶2. (SBU) We followed up with several South Kivu Mai Mai contacts regarding the information outlined in reftel that these groups had declared, via a letter to Malu Malu, their intention to suspend their recognition of the March 23 agreement and withdraw their fighters from the FARDC. While our contacts endorsed the grievances voiced in the letter, they stressed that their groups remain firmly within the process. They complained that the authors of the letter cannot engage their respective movements and claimed that none of them had obtained the necessary buy-in from their military and/or political leaders. ¶3. (SBU) One contact pointed out that many of the signatories had been nominated last summer to the South Kivu provincial structures of the Amani Commission, which were never actually created; these nominees therefore believe they are owed money. Everyone with whom we spoke agreed the letter was a rather weak attempt to get more money and positions out of the GDRC, although they also were quick to point out that the South Kivu integration process is not getting the financial and logistical support it needs. North Kivu Integration -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Certain Mai Mai groups have fighters which have yet to integrate into the FARDC. PARECO-Nande, for example, claims approximately 800 of their number have yet to integrate, while Mai Mai Kifuafua claims 1,729 (Comment: these numbers are implausible, but GDRC flexibility in allowing integration after the official April 18 deadline is helping ease tensions with the Mai Mai. End Comment). Killing of PNC at Kinyandoni -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Two of the UN-trained, newly deployed PNC (national police) officers based at Kinyandoni - a few kilometers out of Rutshuru on the Ishasha road - were killed on May 13, while two others were injured. The PNC has begun investigations and MONUC is also sending a mission to Kinyandoni to find out more. The initial report from the commander of the unit notes that the perpetrators wore FARDC uniforms and assesses that they were probably FARDC soldiers, or possibly FDLR. ¶6. (SBU) Nearly all of the newly deployed PNC are from outside the Kivus. MONUC reports that the unit at Kinyandoni has been doing an impressive job of taking on both the FDLR and FARDC (many of the FARDC in that area are newly integrated CNDP) and dismantling illegal barriers, protecting the population from harassment, and escorting commercial traffic. They have also been tackling local bandits. The commander suspects that this attack was either a FARDC or FDLR reprisal, or organized by a local "notable" who has been profiting from the illegal barriers. Security Situation -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Banditry remains rife in the Poto Poto area of Ituri following the FARDC/MONUC operations to break up armed groups operating in the area (Comment: Ituri provides a microcosm perspective on the consequences of incomplete disarmament/integration. Armed groups with a purported political agenda quickly turn to banditry when their patrons are neutralized and their agendas discarded. The region holds lessons for the Kivus. If the integration process remains incomplete, the provinces will likewise remain insecure. Armed groups will simply shift their objectives from political gain to criminal gain. End Comment). ¶8. (SBU) FDLR fighters in the northern parts of South Kivu may be moving further south to the deep forests to the west of Minova and the densely populated areas along Lake Kivu, which are core FDLR strongholds. At least 30 FDLR fighters have been observed moving south from positions along the North Kivu/South Kivu border, which is possibly indicative of larger movements in the forests. Contacts in South Kivu have told us that South Kivu FDLR cadre have written KINSHASA 00000471 002 OF 002 to MONUC, stating they do not wish to fight, but will retaliate if attacked. GARVELINK