EASTERN DRC NOTES - JANUARY 27

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SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - JANUARY 27

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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.

Joint Plan Briefing
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2. (SBU) MONUC reported that GDRC representatives (FARDC Chief of
Staff Didier Etumba and Police Inspector and DRC coordinator of the
joint operation John Numbi) and a senior RDF commander briefed SRSG
Doss and MONUC Force Commander Gaye January 26 on the joint plan for
anti-FDLR operations. MONUC described the briefing as vague,
implying that the Congolese and Rwandan briefers did not share all
details of the plan.


3. (SBU) The briefers stated the two phase plan has three goals:
the destruction of the FDLR, the implementation of the Nairobi
Communique, and support for the repatriation of FDLR elements. The
first phase targets North Kivu and the securing of the borders with
Uganda and Rwanda to prevent FDLR attacks/flight, as well as
unspecified offensive operations. The second phase will consist of
operations in South Kivu, vaguely presented as an effort to contain
FDLR elements present there while operations are underway in North
Kivu. The Rwandan briefers reported that RDF anticipated operations
lasting 15-20 days from commencement (January 21) with the
possibility of requesting an extension from the GDRC if necessary.


4. (SBU) MONUC offered support for the operation, conditioned on
being informed by the RDF/FARDC of decisions that will impact its
ability to provide for civilian protection. This support would
include: a joint RDF/FARDC/MONUC planning cell including 7-8 MONUC
officers and the participation of civilian agencies such as OCHA,
the DDR/DDRRR Unit, and MONUC Civil Affairs; the establishment of a
fourth regroupment center to facilitate the integration of the CNDP
into the FARDC; continued training of the FARDC; and a reevaluation
of MONUC force deployments to best protect civilians in North and
South Kivu. MONUC specified that it would not provide day to day
direct support for military operations (Note: As of January 27, a
number of MONUC liaison officers were present at the RDF/FARDC
headquarters in Goma. End note).


5. (SBU) Separately, MONUC military briefers reported a RDF base of
operations located two to three kilometers west of Nyamilima.
Unknown numbers of Rwandan trucks and logistical equipment were
reported in Kahunga. MONUC also stated that 460 Rwandan soldiers
are moving from Tongo to Kisheshe to link up with FARDC forces.
400-500 Rwandan troops were said to be moving from Bunagana towards
Mabenga.

FDLR Movements
--------------


6. (SBU) MONUC military briefers reported on January 26 a
concentration of approximately 1000 FDLR combatants in the forest
near Kashebere. Unconfirmed numbers of FDLR are reported moving
from Loashi and Mariki towards Masisi. MONUC military staff
suggested that the FDLR may be assembling forces near Masisi to
achieve greater strength but may still seek to avoid a pitched
battle with combined RDF/FARDC forces. FDLR forces have vacated
Bambu, Tongo, and Nyamilima. There are unconfirmed reports of FDLR
fighters discarding military uniforms and dressing in civilian
clothes. MONUC had unconfirmed reports of 26 civilians taken
captive by FDLR combatants near Kalongo, South Kivu and is sending a
team to investigate. Press reports claim that nine FDLR fighters
around Lubero were killed in clashes with RDF/FARDC forces.

CNDP Integration
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7. (SBU) Press reports quote a RDF spokesperson as saying that
Nkunda, while in Rwanda, is not in jail. AP quotes Major Jill
Rutaremara as saying, "Nkunda is not in jail. He is not in prison.
There is a difference between arresting someone and putting him in
prison. All I can say is: he is safe." Separately, a western
diplomat in Goma passed on an unconfirmed report that Kigali had
been ready to extradite Nkunda to the DRC, but that local commanders
in Gisenyi countermanded the order.


8. (SBU) There are conflicting reports of the pace of CNDP
integration into the FARDC. Information from USG officials in Goma
and from press reports indicates that CNDP fighters have been
observed in Goma and traveling with FARDC elements. However, a
journalist in Goma told us that three bases in North Kivu, including
one at Rumangabo, are still firmly under CNDP control. Another

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report notes a case of friction between CNDP and RDF elements; in
this situation, the RDF soldiers requested some manner of assistance
from the CNDP unit, and were told to keep moving. This highlights
MONUC's report of SRSG Doss' emphasis that CNDP integration must
happen quickly to capitalize on political developments.

Comment
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9. (SBU) The issues of CNDP integration into the FARDC and
Ntaganda's fate with respect to the ICC are likely closely linked.
The CNDP under Ntaganda originally appeared to be moving quickly to
allow for its fighters to be integrated into the FARDC, which would
point to Ntaganda having received fairly ironclad assurances from
the GDRC, especially with other former Ituri commanders so
prominently in the dock at The Hague. At the same time, this one
report that the CNDP is still in firm control of three bases may
indicate that full demobilization and integration could still take
some time.

GARVELINK