VZCZCXRO8450
OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #0128/01 0401240
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 091240Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9158
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 000128 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT:   EASTERN DRC NOTES - FEBRUARY 9 
 
REF:   KINSHASA 116 
 
KINSHASA 00000128  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. 
 
Pareco Opts for Political Path 
------------------------------ 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Apparently following the lead of the CNDP (reftel), Pareco 
has announced that it too will transform from an armed movement into 
a political party.  Pareco's national president, Sengugu Museveni, 
announced on February 6 that all Pareco elements would be placed 
under the command of the FARDC. 
 
Tambwe: Still Seeking Nkunda's Extradition 
------------------------------------------ 
 
¶3.  (SBU) DRC Foreign Minister Alexis Tambwe Mwamba, speaking to 
press following the February 6 "4 by 4" meeting with GoR officials 
in Gisenyi, said that the DRC would pursue the extradition of former 
CNDP rebel leader Laurent Nkunda.  Tambwe noted that the GDRC wanted 
to ensure adequate security for Nkunda's return. 
 
National Assembly Petition for Special Session 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
¶4.  (SBU) As of February 6, 260 DRC deputies had signed a petition 
demanding an extraordinary session of the National Assembly to 
discuss the presence of Rwandan troops on DRC soil.  Although only 
251 signatures are required for the petition to move forward, the 
decision whether to convoke an extraordinary session rests solely 
with the President of the National Assembly, Vital Kamerhe. 
 
¶5.  (SBU) A source "close to Kamerhe" told Radio Okapi that Kamerhe 
would welcome such a session.  However, various media pointed out 
that many powerful figures within the government coalition have 
allegedly been highly critical of Kamerhe's lack of full support for 
the RDF/FARDC operations.  Other observers noted that, even if 
Kamerhe does not convoke an extraordinary session, parliament will 
certainly take up this topic during its regular session in March. 
 
Integration Process 
------------------- 
 
¶6.  (SBU) One week into the integration process, MONUC reported that 
223 child soldiers (207 Mai Mai/Pareco and 16 CNDP) have been 
demobilized by MONUC's Child Protection Division.  MONUC praised DRC 
authorities and the rebel groups for their cooperation. 
Nevertheless, according to UNICEF, there are still as many as 1,500 
child soldiers in North Kivu. 
 
Security Situation 
------------------ 
 
¶7.  (SBU) Radio Okapi reported that FDLR elements looted 
approximately 20 houses in the village of Kirumba, 180 kilometers 
north of Goma, on February 6.  The FARDC/RDF joint operations have 
not yet reached this area. 
 
Humanitarian Situation 
---------------------- 
 
¶8.  (SBU) USAID/OFDA implementing partner IMC reported that the 
entire population of Chambucha (5,000) in North Kivu, situated on 
the South Kivu border, had fled due to significant FDLR presence in 
the area. 
 
¶9.  (SBU) In a recently released report, OCHA estimated that there 
are around 810,000 IDP's in North Kivu, including 230,000 in Masisi 
Territory, 220,000 in Lubero Territory, and 175,000 in Rutshuru 
Territory.  At the Kibati IDP camp just north of Goma, 75,000 IDP's 
have left for their homes, leaving approximately 110,000.  A 
February 6 USAID/DART visit to Kibati confirmed a noticeable 
decrease in the camp's population. 
 
¶10.  (SBU) John Holmes, UN Under-Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs, 
during a February 8 visit to the Kibati camp, called on local 
authorities to encourage IDP's to return home, if the security 
situation permits.  According to Radio Okapi, some local officials 
maintain that residents continue to fear for their safety. 
 
¶11.  (SBU) Despite the end of FARDC-CNDP hostilities, OHCA and 
Refugees International noted that there have been limited IDP 
returns to areas formerly administered by the CNDP in Rutshuru 
 
KINSHASA 00000128  002 OF 002 
 
 
Territory.  Some have speculated that there are still concerns about 
CNDP intimidation of returning GDRC local administrators.  However, 
reports vary as to the pace and number of returnees over recent 
days.  For example, OCHA acknowledged that there had been 
significant IDP returns to Kibumba in Rutshuru Territory. 
 
LRA: Operation Lightning Thunder 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶12.  (SBU) Responding to recent criticism from Medecins Sans 
Frontieres (MSF), SRSG Alan Doss maintained, in a February 6 letter 
to the organization, that MSF had "seriously misrepresented MONUC 
responsibilities and actions to protect civilians" in Haut Ulele. 
Doss claimed that, although MONUC had not been involved in the 
planning of the joint operation, it was providing logistical support 
to the FARDC.  Doss cautioned that, because of the enormous area 
involved and MONUC's limited presence, MONUC did not have the 
capacity to respond to every emergency at every moment. 
 
¶13.  (SBU) MONUC reported that, as of February 5, the FARDC had 
deployed six battalions to Dungu Territory.  The FARDC forces are 
positioned along the four major road axes in Dungu. 
 
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