EASTERN DRC NOTES - JUNE 5

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000524 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS KPKO CG SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - JUNE 5 ¶1. (U) The information contained in this cable consists principally of spot reports from various sources. This cable is not exhaustive, nor can all the information contained therein be confirmed at this time. Anti-LRA Operations -------------- ¶2. (U) Radio Okapi reported that on June 2, LRA elements besieged the village of Dakwa, 500 kilometers north of Kisangani, killing a policeman, burning several houses, and abducting at least 200 people, including 50 children. The attack reportedly occurred two days after LRA attacks on Buye and Mongalie in Ango (Bas Uele District) where LRA forces looted a hospital and pharmacies. The National Assembly recommended June 4 that the government reinforce police forces in Ango and send humanitarian relief to the area. North Kivu Security Situation -------------- ¶3. (U) Okapi also reported one civilian casualty and two FARDC wounded during a 20-minute exchange of gunfire between a FARDC patrol and FDLR elements the night of June 4 in Nyamilima in Rutshuru Territory. The report said a young boy was killed by a stay bullet and that two wounded FARDC soldiers were transferred to a local hospital for treatment. No FDLR casualties were reported. Nyamalima was the site of an FDLR attack on a national police unit in May. Operation Kimia II -------------- ¶4. (SBU) In recognition that the FDLR remains a threat in North Kivu, Operation Kimia II started in North Kivu vice South Kivu on May 28. During a MONUC briefing to the Kinshasa diplomatic community June 4, MONUC Force Command also expressed concern over Kimia II FARDC troop levels in South Kivu and said they have cautioned the FARDC to "go slow" in South Kivu. MONUC also noted that FDLR are present in over half of South Kivu and that the terrain presents severe operational challenges. MONUC stressed that there was "no simple military solution" and there would have to be a political component. (Comment: MONUC has taken a prudent strategy of counseling the FARDC to proceed slowly. MONUC knows well the risks of failed joint operations with the FARDC and realizes that, unlike joint anti-FDLR Operation Umoja Wetu, the RDF (Rwandan Defense Forces) is not a partner to Kimia II. End comment.) National Monitoring Committee -------------- ¶5. (SBU) MONUC remains optimistic about the progress between the GDRC and armed groups accomplished via the National Monitoring Committee created to support the March 23 agreements. Mai Mai rivalries and CNDP internal division are the main threats to progress, according to MONUC, as well as armed groups, including the CNDP, withholding weapons and troops from the integration process. GARVELINK