VZCZCXRO6591
OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #0085/01 0271240
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 271240Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9100
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 SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000085 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - JANUARY 27 
 
KINSHASA 00000085  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
 
¶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 
------------------- 
 
¶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 
---------------- 
 
¶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 
 
KINSHASA 00000085  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
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 
------- 
 
¶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. 
 
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