EASTERN DRC NOTES - MAY 26

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000497

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO KTIP CG
SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - MAY 26


1. (U) The information contained in this report consists
principally of spot reports from various sources. This cable is not
exhaustive, nor can all the information contained herein be
confirmed at this time.

Anti-LRA Operations
--------------


2. (SBU) The UPDF recently clashed with the LRA northeast of Tadu
in the far east of Haut Uele District, resulting in five LRA dead.
The FARDC reportedly clashed with the LRA near Faradje on May 19,
but there are no reports of casualties. Also, on the night of 23
May, the LRA attacked the village of Bamukandi, four kilometers
north of Dungu. According to Radio Okapi, the LRA burned 20 houses,
killed two civilians, and kidnapped a number of civilians.

Security Situation in the Kivus
--------------


3. (SBU) An OCHA contact reported that 600-800 Pareco troops have
expressed a desire to integrate into the FARDC in Oninga, a remote
village far to the west of Lubero in North Kivu. A MONUC source who
recently travelled to the area reported there are many FDLR around
Oninga who want to repatriate, but only after negotiations with the
GoR (Note: This is a common demand and is unlikely to be met. End
note).


4. (SBU) In North Kivu, the FDLR attacked police in Kihito and
Kiwanja (near Nyamilima) on May 20, again raising fears that the
FDLR is targeting police officers who may be interfering with
lucrative FDLR trade in the region. MONUC reported that three
persons died in the attack, but it is not clear if they were police
or civilians. The PNC is reportedly considering consolidating its
smaller posts in the area or collocating with the FARDC to improve
security.

5. (SBU) The FDLR also ambushed the FARDC near Pinga in two
separate incidents on May 22, resulting in three FARDC dead. MONUC
sources believe that the attacks were designed to deter trade on the
newly re-opened axis, as well as to discredit the FARDC's ability to
provide security in the area. In addition, MONUC reports that near
Hombo, the FDLR has recently pressed some 100 boys into service as
porters.

6. (SBU) The FDLR also staged an ambush in Kihuzi-Biega Park in
South Kivu on May 22, killing three FARDC and 7 civilians. MONUC
troops responded to a FARDC appeal for reinforcements, and
reportedly exchanged fire with the FDLR, possibly resulting in FDLR
casualties. According to Radio Okapi, the FDLR also attacked FARDC
positions near the South Kivu villages of Kabona and Luhago on May

24. FDLR troops killed two FARDC lieutenants in Luhago and pillaged
and burned the FARDC camp in Kabona.


7. (SBU) A diplomatic source who recently visited Walikale reported
seeing dozens of Rwandan troops in the town. He believes their
nationality is evident because they do not speak French or Swahili,
seem to have little knowledge of local geography, avoid contact with
foreigners, and exhibit greater discipline than FARDC troops. Many
residents of Walikale are also convinced the troops are Rwandan
(Note and comment: The GoR stated it would leave some intelligence
and liaison officers in the DRC following joint operations in
February, so the presence of some Rwandans is not surprising.
However, it is often difficult to determine if reports of "Rwandans"
are either ex-CNDP, Congolese who grew up in Rwanda, or Hutu/Tutsi
from the Rwandaphone communities around Masisi. End note and
comment).


8. (SBU) The FARDC-MONUC Joint Operations Center held its first
formal meeting on May 21. MONUC contacts hope it will improve
MONUC's very limited information about operations against the LRA.

IDPs
--------------


9. (SBU) Unconfirmed reports claim nearly 7,000 IDPs have recently
arrived in Walikale from the Hombo-Bunyakiri region (Note: A
diplomatic source who visited Walikale last week estimated that
there are now 30,000 IDPs near Walikale, based on his interviews
with IDPs and local NGOs. End note).

10. (U) Radio Okapi reported that there are 10,000 new IDPs in the
Shabunda Territory of South Kivu. The vast majority of the new IDPs
are fleeing the May 13 FDLR attacks on Luyuyu and Gigulube villages.

Assistance for the FARDC
--------------


11. (SBU) Salaries for the FARDC have reportedly arrived in Goma,
and distribution may have already begun. Many troops have not been

KINSHASA 00000497 002 OF 002


paid for three months, and it is not clear whether their back pay is
also available. Tracking pay for FARDC units is confusing at best,
as some soldiers have reportedly received pay for previous months,
while others have not. EUSEC, which has been facilitating and
tracking pay for at least four FARDC brigades since 2005, has had
its mandate renewed for another three months, through September 2009
(Comment: Pay for the troops is especially critical on the eve of
Operation Kimia II. Observers hope it will not only induce the
FARDC to fight, but also improve discipline and curtail human rights
abuses against civilians. End comment).


12. (SBU) The new head of MONUC Forward Headquarters, Colonel Guy
Deacon, is trying to ramp up the "on-the-spot training" of the
FARDC. He told us that current efforts by local MONUC commanders to
mentor the FARDC were too ad hoc, and too focused on the activities
that were easiest for MONUC rather than those most useful to the
FARDC.

BROCK