Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KINSHASA55
2009-01-20 14:12:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:
CONTINUING MONUC DDRRR EFFORTS
how-toVZCZCXRO0720 OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHKI #0055 0201412 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 201412Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9063 INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
UNCLAS KINSHASA 000055
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: CONTINUING MONUC DDRRR EFFORTS
Summary
-------
UNCLAS KINSHASA 000055
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: CONTINUING MONUC DDRRR EFFORTS
Summary
--------------
1. (SBU) MONUC/DDRRR is prepared to transport combatants from the
Rally for Unity and Democracy (RUD),cantoned at Kasiki, to Rwanda
under its existing process. MONUC/DDRRR Officer in Charge Bruno
Donat has proposed bringing trucks to Kasiki on or around January 23
to initially transport to Goma those who are willing to repatriate.
Donat also recently traveled to Kigali where he secured a
reaffirmation of Rwanda's willingness to accept the RUD fighters.
Donat reported that SRSG Alan Doss and GDRC National Security
Advisor Prince Kaumba Lufunda had agreed to pay each RUD
ex-combatant $300 upon repatriation. End Summary.
2. (SBU) At the December 19 Joint Monitoring Group Task Force
(JMG-TF) meeting, representatives from both Rwanda and the DRC said
the Rally for Unity and Democracy (RUD) combatants, who have been
cantoned at Kasiki since late July, are free to repatriate at any
time. MONUC/DDRRR is prepared to transport them to Rwanda under its
existing process. Alternately, if a number of them want to visit
Rwanda first to ensure that it is safe to return, MONUC is willing
to facilitate that action. There remains some concern that RUD
commanders who are still active in the area and in touch with the
rank and file at Kasiki may try to prevent their repatriation.
3. (SBU) Following intensive discussions regarding the logistics of
moving the RUD fighters, DDRRR Officer in Charge Bruno Donat
proposed bringing trucks to Kasiki on or around January 23 to
transport to Goma an initial group of those who are willing to
repatriate. Members of the International Facilitation will
accompany the MONUC convoy, which will include an armed escort.
4. (SBU) Donat noted that he required no specific permission to
repatriate disarmed combatants. Nevertheless, he recently
traveled to Kigali where he met with Jean Sayinzoga, Chairman of the
Rwandan Demobilization and Reintegration Commission, and obtained a
letter reiterating Rwanda's willingness to accept the RUD fighters.
Donat shared the letter with Major Amboise Nanga (a GDRC
representative to the JMG-TF) and will contact GDRC National
Security Advisor Prince Kaumba Lufunda as well. Donat reported that
SRSG Alan Doss and Kaumba had agreed to pay each RUD ex-combatant
$300 upon repatriation (Note: It is unclear whether MONUC and/or the
GDRC would actually provide funding. End Note). In Donat's view,
the payments are a mistake, but he noted that some GDRC officials
are now advocating them for all future ex-combatants who repatriate.
Donat does not know the source of funding for this program, but it
is not the World Bank.
5. (SBU) Separately, MONUC/DDRRR is appealing to donors to procure
new radio transmitters for its South Kivu office. All nine of the
transmitters in Bukavu are currently out of commission. As the GDRC
and GoR contemplate action against the FDLR, radio communications
will be especially critical.
Comment
--------------
6. (SBU) Major Nanga appeared more hesitant than the Rwandans about
moving quickly to repatriate the RUD fighters. It is certainly
possible that MONUC/DDRRR will encounter hurdles that could derail
efforts to repatriate the group. However, members of the JMG-TF
believe it is important to demonstrate that ex-combatants can be
voluntarily repatriated without fear. Conditions may not be ideal,
but after six months of inaction, the JMG-TF agreed it is time for a
resolution.
GARVELINK
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: CONTINUING MONUC DDRRR EFFORTS
Summary
--------------
1. (SBU) MONUC/DDRRR is prepared to transport combatants from the
Rally for Unity and Democracy (RUD),cantoned at Kasiki, to Rwanda
under its existing process. MONUC/DDRRR Officer in Charge Bruno
Donat has proposed bringing trucks to Kasiki on or around January 23
to initially transport to Goma those who are willing to repatriate.
Donat also recently traveled to Kigali where he secured a
reaffirmation of Rwanda's willingness to accept the RUD fighters.
Donat reported that SRSG Alan Doss and GDRC National Security
Advisor Prince Kaumba Lufunda had agreed to pay each RUD
ex-combatant $300 upon repatriation. End Summary.
2. (SBU) At the December 19 Joint Monitoring Group Task Force
(JMG-TF) meeting, representatives from both Rwanda and the DRC said
the Rally for Unity and Democracy (RUD) combatants, who have been
cantoned at Kasiki since late July, are free to repatriate at any
time. MONUC/DDRRR is prepared to transport them to Rwanda under its
existing process. Alternately, if a number of them want to visit
Rwanda first to ensure that it is safe to return, MONUC is willing
to facilitate that action. There remains some concern that RUD
commanders who are still active in the area and in touch with the
rank and file at Kasiki may try to prevent their repatriation.
3. (SBU) Following intensive discussions regarding the logistics of
moving the RUD fighters, DDRRR Officer in Charge Bruno Donat
proposed bringing trucks to Kasiki on or around January 23 to
transport to Goma an initial group of those who are willing to
repatriate. Members of the International Facilitation will
accompany the MONUC convoy, which will include an armed escort.
4. (SBU) Donat noted that he required no specific permission to
repatriate disarmed combatants. Nevertheless, he recently
traveled to Kigali where he met with Jean Sayinzoga, Chairman of the
Rwandan Demobilization and Reintegration Commission, and obtained a
letter reiterating Rwanda's willingness to accept the RUD fighters.
Donat shared the letter with Major Amboise Nanga (a GDRC
representative to the JMG-TF) and will contact GDRC National
Security Advisor Prince Kaumba Lufunda as well. Donat reported that
SRSG Alan Doss and Kaumba had agreed to pay each RUD ex-combatant
$300 upon repatriation (Note: It is unclear whether MONUC and/or the
GDRC would actually provide funding. End Note). In Donat's view,
the payments are a mistake, but he noted that some GDRC officials
are now advocating them for all future ex-combatants who repatriate.
Donat does not know the source of funding for this program, but it
is not the World Bank.
5. (SBU) Separately, MONUC/DDRRR is appealing to donors to procure
new radio transmitters for its South Kivu office. All nine of the
transmitters in Bukavu are currently out of commission. As the GDRC
and GoR contemplate action against the FDLR, radio communications
will be especially critical.
Comment
--------------
6. (SBU) Major Nanga appeared more hesitant than the Rwandans about
moving quickly to repatriate the RUD fighters. It is certainly
possible that MONUC/DDRRR will encounter hurdles that could derail
efforts to repatriate the group. However, members of the JMG-TF
believe it is important to demonstrate that ex-combatants can be
voluntarily repatriated without fear. Conditions may not be ideal,
but after six months of inaction, the JMG-TF agreed it is time for a
resolution.
GARVELINK