VZCZCXRO8113
OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #0092/01 0291433
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 291433Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9108
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 000092 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - JANUARY 29 
 
REF: KINSHASA 89 
 
 
¶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 FARDC/RDF Operation 
------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (SBU) MONUC reported that, in its opinion, the RDF had three 
basic movements: north toward Nyamilia; northeast towards Kishseshe; 
and west into Masisi.  MONUC also believes the RDF may initiate 
combat operations near Virunga Park at Katale.  There are reports of 
up to 1,500 FDLR combatants massing near Ntoto, east by southeast of 
Masisi.  MONUC has also received unconfirmed reports that the some 
FDLR elements in North and South Kivu have sent their families back 
to Rwanda. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) MONUC passed on several unconfirmed media reports, which 
are as follows: As many as 200 FDLR combatants may have fled into 
Uganda, attempting to enter Bwindi National Park; that there is no 
DRC/Rwanda extradition treaty; and that some CNDP elements "do not 
understand Nkunda's arrest," because the CNDP leader reportedly had 
been on a mission for Rwanda at the time.  Separately, other 
unconfirmed press reports allege that a top FDLR commander was 
killed on January 28. 
 
MONUC Contribution 
------------------ 
 
¶4.  (SBU) According to MONUC, it is re-positioning its forces to be 
ready for fighting in three main areas: commercial interests of the 
FDLR, particularly mines; Tutsi villages, which could be vulnerable 
to FDLR reprisal attacks, including Kitchanga and Kirolirwe; and 
potential IDP corridors, especially the Rutshuru-Goma road. 
 
¶5.  (SBU) MONUC has received information that its forces could be 
targeted by the FDLR in South Kivu, particularly near Kahuzi-Biega 
Park and in an area north of Bukavu and south of Kavumu.  The FDLR 
has also threatened to carry out reprisals on the local population 
in South Kivu if the FARDC/RDF joint operation attacks the rebel 
group.  Local residents are reportedly concerned that FDLR elements 
have begun to sell off their livestock, a sign that the group is in 
"attack mode." 
 
¶6.  (SBU) MONUC acknowledged that its involvement in the Joint 
Operations Center (JOC) has been disappointing.   Although the 
FARDC/RDF command had previously said (reftel) that it would brief 
MONUC on recent and future operations (48 hours in advance), the JOC 
subsequently told MONUC that it would not provide briefings on 
future operations.  In addition, only low-level military officers 
were present for the January 28 briefing.  MONUC commented that it 
was clear that the JOC was not the operations center out of which 
real decisions were being made.  A senior MONUC officer quipped that 
command and control seemed to be coming from DRC General John 
Numbi's cellphone. 
 
¶7.  (SBU) MONUC described its participation as concentrating on 
operational support, likely limited to logistics, and on protection. 
 The current situation was a "pull-push" dynamic, with DDRRR and 
persuasion efforts representing the pull, while the military aspect 
was clearly the push.  MONUC, according to a senior military 
official, would clearly provide support to the persuasion effort, 
and it would also stand by to offer support with operational 
matters. 
 
Integration 
----------- 
 
¶8.  (SBU) A ceremony to kick-off FARDC-CNDP integration at the 
Rumangabo military base took place on January 29; those in 
attendance included the DRC Minister of Defense, Chief of Defense 
(CHOD), the Governor of North Kivu, and Malu Malu (Note: 15-20 
minutes into the ceremony, Bosco Ntaganda showed up with General 
Numbi; Ntaganda's presence resulted in the walkout of the 
International Facilitation representatives.  End note).  This 
ceremony was originally scheduled to take place on January 28, but 
never materialized as CNDP elements refused to participate then, 
characterizing the process as "messy and confusing."  Some CNDP 
fighters apparently stated they did not want to integrate until "the 
Nkunda question" was resolved.  The DRC MoD, en route to Rumangabo 
for the ceremony, reportedly turned back to Goma when he received 
word of the CNDP discontent. 
 
 
KINSHASA 00000092  002 OF 002 
 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶9.  (SBU) The original recalcitrance shown by the CNDP fighters at 
Rumangabo is cause for at least some concern, to the extent that it 
may reflect broader discontent within the group with respect to 
events of the last month.  While the ceremony appears to have gone 
off without any problems, questions remain as to where the loyalty 
of the CNDP rank and file really lies. 
 
GARVELINK