VZCZCXRO9563
OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #0006 0050923
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 050923Z JAN 09 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8999
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 000006 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - January 5 
 
¶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. 
 
 
Security Situation 
------------------ 
 
¶2.  (SBU) The CNDP and an unspecified Mai Mai group engaged in a 
firefight south of Mashango on January 1.  On January 2, UN security 
officials reported ongoing clashes between CNDP and PARECO forces in 
the Mweso area. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) MONUC plans to deploy two companies of Bangladeshi troops 
to Ishasha on the Ugandan border.  Since the CNDP withdrew, Mai Mai 
(and possibly FDLR) forces have moved back into the area.  (Note: 
CNDP charges that hostile forces have moved into areas that the 
group has vacated have more validity on the northern edge of 
territory it controls.  End Note.) 
 
¶4.  (SBU) Armed men engaged in looting at the Kihondo IDP camp south 
of Sake. 
 
¶5.  (SBU) According to MONUC, the CNDP continues to replace 
uncooperative administrators in areas under its control.  CNDP 
recently replaced the village chief in the village of Mbiru Mbiru 
south of Sake because he refused to work under the rebel group. 
 
¶6.  (SBU) Goma remained very calm during the holidays. 
 
 
LRA - Operation Lightening Thunder 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶7.  (SBU) According to MONUC, there were no new LRA attacks over the 
New Year.  FARDC troops reportedly engaged LRA elements in Nagiro, 
east of Dungu.  MONUC has deployed additional troops to Faradje. 
 
¶8.  (SBU) UNICEF reported that, since September, the LRA has 
abducted approximately 200 children in the Dungu District.  As of 
December 31, UNICEF continues to assist 31 children who escaped from 
the LRA. 
 
 
Humanitarian Situation 
---------------------- 
 
¶9.  (SBU) The World Food Program (WFP) announced on December 31 that 
its current food aid distribution aims to benefit 540,000 people 
throughout North Kivu Province.  Over the next six months, WFP 
anticipates a shortfall of 22,000 metric tons in food stocks.  Total 
requirement for the period should be 104,000 metric tons. 
 
¶10.  (SBU) According to UNHCR, preliminary assessments indicate that 
current food aid, medical services, and nutritional programs may 
prove insufficient to meet the needs of the growing number of IDPs 
in Orientale Province.  UNHCR has sent a team to the area to more 
fully assess the situation. 
 
¶11.  (SBU) A UNHCR convoy transporting non-food items has reached 
Dungu after an 11-day trip from Bunia.  WFP will continue to use the 
land route to deliver supplies to the area, particularly before the 
commencement of the rainy season in February.  The potential 
deterioration of the Dungu airstrip and inability of cargo planes to 
land on the strip has prompted WFP to consider air drops as an 
alternative delivery method. 
 
GARVELINK