EASTERN DRC NOTES - JANUARY 2

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000005 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - JANUARY 2 REF: A) 08 KINSHASA 1164 B) KINSHASA 3 C) KINSHASA 4 ¶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. North Kivu Security Situation -------------- ¶2. (SBU) CNDP issued a statement December 25 to MONUC SRSG Alan Doss requesting that MONUC facilitate the withdrawal of "government coalition" forces from areas around Goma airport (ref A). MONUC responded December 29 that MONUC investigators found no evidence of FARDC movements and urged both CNDP and FARDC to refrain from hostile actions and permit freedom of movement for civilians and goods (ref B). CNDP responded to the MONUC statement with a January 1 declaration that CNDP participation in the resumption of bilateral talks January 7 in Nairobi, as mediated by UN Special Envoy Obasanjo, is conditional upon "mediation" verification of CNDP claims of FARDC force movements (ref C). ¶3. (SBU) USAID/DART reported December 29 that UNHCR plans to halt organized transfers from the Kibati IDP camps immediately north of Goma to the Mugunga III camp in Goma in the coming days. Following four weeks of transfers, 6,800 IDPs have moved to Mugunga III. Remaining IDP's have indicated an unwillingness to move. LRA - Operation Lightening Thunder -------------- ¶4. (SBU) On December 30, MONUC announced measures to enhance civilian protection in Haut Uele District in response to LRA attacks on several villages December 25-27. USAID/DART sources estimate the attacks killed 300 people and triggered significant population displacements. MONUC plans to assist FARDC in augmenting troop levels, providing logistics support, and engaging in other protection activities. MONUC transported 240 FARDC troops to Faradje and an additional 240 to Doruma from December 26-31. The MONUC Civil Affairs Section plans to provide logistical support to humanitarian agencies. ¶5. (SBU) The Entebbe-Dungu air bridge operated by WFP (World Ford Program) delivered 12 metric tons of non-food items as of December 23, in addition to 63 metric tons of food to more than 18,000 people as of December 29. MONUC, in conjunction with several NGO's, plans to transport additional non-food items by road from Goma to Dungu in January. GARVELINK