EASTERN DRC NOTES - JULY 22

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000708 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS KPKO CG SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - JULY 22 REF: KINSHASA 691 ¶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. Congolese Caritas employee killed -------------- ¶2. (SBU) A Congolese citizen employed by Caritas was shot and killed by men in uniform south of Kiwanja on July 15. Post is confirming details and will report septel. Security Situation - LRA -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The MONUC Company Operating Base (COB) is operational at Dingila, west of Dungu (reftel). MONUC troops have performed a reconnaissance patrol to Bandu, north of Dingila, and reported that the locals welcomed the MONUC presence. (Comment: Until recently, MONUC has largely confined itself to its base at Dungu. It remains uncertain if daytime patrols to nearby villages will significantly increase civilian security. End comment). North Kivu -------------- ¶4. (SBU) The FARDC engaged in a short firefight with the FDLR near Kashebere on July 15. No casualties were reported. ¶5. (SBU) MONUC DDRRR has recently expanded operations to Oninga in the northwest corner of North Kivu province where there is a significant FDLR presence. The FDLR forces have expressed an interest in repatriation, but warned that they would take action against any integrated CNDP troops that the FARDC deploys to the region. South Kivu -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Villagers around Mwenga led MONUC troops to fresh graves in the area to show that MONUC actually killed four FDLR troops (vice one as reported earlier) in the FDLR attack on the MONUC base on July 13 (reftel). Locals estimated that four additional FDLR attackers were wounded, two of them seriously. (Comment: The potential casualty rate, eight out of the estimated 11 FDLR who took part in the attack, may deter the FDLR from future direct confrontations with MONUC. End comment). ¶7. (SBU) The FDLR has denied that it conducted the attack at Mwenga on July 13, claiming that a FARDC/RDF (Rwandan Defense Forces) coalition was responsible. MONUC sources assured Goma poloff on July 15 that they recovered the body of one of the attackers and that locals identified the casualty as a known FDLR member. The FARDC are reinforcing the area with at least two additional battalions, a critical step since some of the current FARDC troops (and possibly the local FARDC commander) may be colluding with the FDLR. ¶8. (SBU) MONUC and South Kivu residents report that an estimated nine groups of FDLR are moving to the southern parts of the province due to FARDC pressure in the north. Some of the FDLR groups reportedly come from as far away as Masisi. The FDLR incursions into southern South Kivu have driven thousands of IDPs to flee north towards Mulamba. ¶9. (SBU) FDLR troops ambushed a FARDC patrol and killed two government soldiers on the road between Sange and Lemera (northwest of Luberizi). The FARDC then mounted a counterattack against the FDLR, reportedly killing three FDLR. ¶10. (SBU) Armed group movements and attacks in the Bunyakiri-Hombo area have forced thousands of locals to flee, but there is no established IDP camp in the area and most have sought refuge in homes. The FDLR abducted and raped eight women in Bunyakiri on July ¶13. Several humanitarian agencies have suspended operations in the area. Seven FARDC soldiers who were kidnapped by Mai Mai militia near Hombo on July 9 were released within a day without their weapons. ¶11. (SBU) Several sources confirm that Pakistani forces in South Kivu are stretched thin and new deployments will be difficult. The South Kivu brigade was equipped for 12 COBs throughout the province, and is now supporting 18. This is the primary reason MONUC shut down the Temporary Operating Base (TOB) at Kibombo on the Haut KINSHASA 00000708 002 OF 002 Plateau. Integration Formally Over -------------- ¶12. (SBU) Integrated militia troops in South Kivu continue to consolidate at Luberizi, and the integration center at Kalehe will soon close. On July 22, Luberizi will formally become a training center and support from MONUC's Eastern Coordination unit will end. The FARDC has stated it will take over responsibility for the estimated 2000 integrated troops (including up to 1000 from Kindu, Maniema province) but donors have some doubts that the FARDC will be able to adequately support the camp. Eastern Coordination is nearly out of funds to support integration, but has a small reserve to assist in an emergency. The Head of the Eastern Coordination has asked donors to support the decision to turn over responsibility to the FARDC and urge the government to support it with adequate resources. ¶13. (SBU) The integration period for South Kivu officially came to a close on July 15. If the North Kivu model is any guide, exceptions will be made to accommodate new recruits at Luberizi. The door to an integration deal between the FRF ("Forces Republicaines Federalistes" in French) and the GDRC will likely remain open as well. From July 15, armed groups in South Kivu are officially considered illegal groups. (Comment: Given that only a small fraction of the armed groups in South Kivu integrated, and a much smaller percentage turned in weapons, it is difficult to consider the integration process in South Kivu a "success". End comment). Minova Survey -------------- ¶14. (SBU) Goma poloff, A/RSO and USAID Food for Peace Officer visited Minova, approximately two hours southwest of Goma, on July 15 to survey the local security and humanitarian situation. The Acting Commander at the MONUC Company Operating Base (COB) reported that the area was secure following FARDC operations to clear FDLR from Numbi and areas to the north. Villagers near Numbi now report problems with the FARDC, which often does not receive food rations or salaries that are administered through Bukavu. The MONUC commander said relations with the FARDC were good, and the militaries exchanged information on a weekly basis. He said the FARDC consulted MONUC on its Kimia II plans, and informs them when commencing operations. ¶15. (SBU) MONUC operations officers in Goma presented a different picture when poloff consulted them following the Acting Commander's briefing. They noted the FARDC keep MONUC informed when they need support, but often fail to report significant events when they don't require help. The FARDC information is generally self-serving and unreliable, largely because the FARDC often does not know the disposition of its own troops and the chain of command is frequently arbitrary. Most MONUC COBs rely on Brigade Headquarters in Bukavu and Goma for information, which is given on a "need to know" basis. Communication between battalions in South Kivu is uneven. For example, the Minova COB officers did not know about the FDLR attack on the Mwenga COB on July 13. Confirmed information is scarce. Estimates of FARDC strength in the region ranged from 400 to 2400. (Comment: Post has long known that MONUC commanders paint a rosier picture of operations than may be the case. However, it is disconcerting that information sharing is apparently so poor in the midst of a full-scale military collaboration. End comment). Military Justice - South Kivu -------------- ¶16. (SBU) A Sergeant "Eric" of the FARDC was convicted of rape by the new military tribunal established in Kivumu and staffed by FARDC Generals Etumba and Masunzu and Colonel Dephin, as well as a civilian judge. Sgt. Eric was convicted of raping a pregnant woman during recent clashes in Mwenga. He was sentenced to 15 years in jail without parole and ordered to pay the victim $3000. (Comment: The victim is unlikely to see any money, but a MONUC political advisor believes Sgt. Eric will serve the time. The FARDC has made an example of this junior officer, whose crimes sparked a community protest in Mwenga. It remains to be seen whether any higher-ranking officers will be targeted for prosecution. End comment). GARVELINK