EASTERN DRC NOTES - JUNE 16

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000562 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS KPKO CG SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - JUNE 16 ¶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. (SBU) Precise information about LRA actions in Haut Uele remains sketchy, but MONUC has confirmed six LRA attacks around Gilima (northwest of Dungu) on June 2-5. LRA cadre killed the local chief at Malingindo on June 6 and abducted 5 persons who later escaped. The liberated abductees estimated the strength of that LRA unit at ¶50. Also on June 6, the FARDC engaged the LRA seven miles west of Dungu and three LRA cadres surrendered. ¶3. (SBU) The UPDF engaged the LRA at Bitima on the border with Sudan on June 2. MONUC sources say the UPDF killed 19 LRA members, but acknowledged that the claim has not been independently verified. Security Situation - North Kivu -------------- ¶4. (SBU) A group of the breakaway APCL ("Alliance des Patriotes pour un Congo Libre" in French, or PARECO-Hunde) located north of Nyabiondo and estimated at 100-120 members is ready to integrate, according to MONUC sources. The group claims that the FARDC have attacked them and prevented access to an integration center. (Note: Integration centers in North Kivu have been closed, but the FARDC has usually found ways to continue the integration process despite its formal conclusion in April. End note.) ¶5. (SBU) FDLR elements attacked a FARDC unit in Kamadi on the western shore of Lake Edward on June 12, killing two FARDC troops. The FARDC and MONUC responded with reinforcements, but the FDLR, possibly aided by local PARECO elements, fled into the forest. ¶6. (SBU) MONUC continues to receive reports of FARDC abuses against citizens, most recently in the Tongo and Kiwanja areas. West of Kiwanja, angry citizens put up a road block on June 13 to protest the FARDC killing of three citizens. The protesters also vented their anger at MONUC. A UN political officer said the anger at MONUC was not surprising, given MONUC's support and close association with the FARDC. Separately, complaints were also leveled against the FARDC-MONUC alliance in Avebo in Ituri Province, prompting the local MONUC Commander to hold a meeting with 50 community leaders. The FARDC refused to participate. ¶7. (SBU) While many FARDC troops in urban areas have been paid through April, some of those on deployment in rural areas claim they have not received salaries in five months. President Kabila has reportedly ordered that all troops be paid before he visits Goma on June 30 (DRC Independence Day),but it is not clear that the FARDC has the logistical capacity to accomplish this directive. Security Situation -- South Kivu -------------- ¶8. (SBU) In South Kivu, MONUC has begun using the airfield at Tshonka (north of Shabunda) to resupply the FARDC. Government troops are expected to move west as part of Kimia II operations, but progress has been slow. ¶9. (SBU) Two FRF cadres showed up at the Luberezi Integration Center, possibly indicating an interest in joining the integration process. A Mai Mai group north of Fizi has also expressed a desire to integrate. A new integration center, with the capacity to integrate 200 combatants, opened in Baraka on June 13 and processed 28 militia troops. (Comment: The integration centers were intended to be processing posts where militia could be rotated to establish brassage training camps. There is no food at the brassage camps, however, and the integration centers have become holding stations. End comment.) ¶10. (SBU) On June 11, FDLR troops attacked Mapema, eight kilometers east of Bunyakiri. Four villagers were killed, 47 homes burned and 51 cattle stolen. The FARDC reportedly responded to the attack, but was unable to reach the village before the FDLR retreated into the bush. MONUC analysts note that the FDLR displays a shrewd strategy of launching its attacks well to the east of FARDC positions in the volatile region, and the government troops do not take the offensive to realign their units. DRC Visit of UNDP Administrator Helen Clark -------------- KINSHASA 00000562 002 OF 002 ¶11. (U) AFP reported June 15 that visiting UN Development Program Administrator Helen Clark urged the GDRC to "to promote the participation of women in government, in the electoral process, in politics... and strengthen the status of women to settle issues of sexual violence." She also discussed progress on decentralization, environmental and human rights protection and security sector reform with Prime Minister Adolphe Muzito and members of his government. On a three-day mission to the DRC, Clark visited Kinshasa and North Kivu Province. According to the UNDP, there were 1,330 cases of rape in the first three months of 2009 in South Kivu alone. BROCK