VZCZCXRO0720
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 
------- 
 
¶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