VZCZCXRO1631
OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #0149/01 0441401
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 131401Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9192
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 000149 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT:   EASTERN DRC NOTES - FEBRUARY 13 
 
¶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) MONUC sources confirmed a Reuters report that at least 40 
FDLR rebels were killed in an air raid at Kashebere on February 13. 
A FARDC spokesman was quoted as saying that the air raid targeted a 
meeting of rebel commanders in the area.  The FARDC spokesman also 
claimed that the joint operations also attacked the FDLR's heavily 
defended division in Majembe, inflicting "heavy" losses. 
 
¶3. (SBU) MONUC reported that on February 20 the FARDC killed three 
FDLR during a clash at Mbawavinywa, 40 kilometers northeast of 
Kanyabayonga.  Two hundred families reportedly fled to Luofo 
following the clash. 
 
¶4.  (SBU) MONUC Kinshasa reported that RDF troops have moved from 
the Pinga area towards Nyabiondo, where there is allegedly a large 
FDLR concentration.  RDF troops also appear to be deploying towards 
the towns of Ntoto, Katoyi, and Kibua where FDLR forces are present. 
 
 
¶5.  (SBU) In South Kivu, FDLR forces remain deployed in various 
strengths along the North-South Kivu border, and reportedly occupy 
two towns on Lake Kivu, just east of Watunga. 
 
¶6.  (SBU) A senior MONUC Political Advisor told Goma PolOff that 
CNDP Commander Makenge will be put in charge of the FARDC's 85th 
brigade, often described as a renegade force that has cooperated 
closely with the FDLR in mining operations north of Walikale. 
Integrated FARDC units are reportedly being flown into Walikale to 
replace compromised units of the 85th. 
 
¶7.  (SBU) A EUSEC source told Goma PolOff that the FARDC is two days 
late with payroll, and the issue of adding recently integrated units 
has not been fully resolved.  The North Kivu Governor and senior 
FARDC officers are apparently aware of the potential for this issue 
to seriously affect progress on integration. 
 
¶8.  (SBU) A MONUC Political Officer told PolCouns that MONUC remains 
"very concerned" about its capacity to fill any vacuum created, 
should RDF troops withdraw at the end of February.  MONUC PolOff 
noted that, according to MONUC's estimates, the FDLR controlled 80% 
of South Kivu before the operations began. 
 
DDR and DDRRR Developments 
-------------------------- 
 
¶9.  (SBU) DDRRR officials dropped leaflets into more than a dozen 
FDLR areas on February 12.  MONUC sources stated that DDRRR has 
received greater resources, and that cooperation between DDRRR and 
MONUC's military side is excellent.  In a minor setback, DDRRR Head 
of Office Bruno Donat reported that, although FDLR Lt. Colonel 
Edmond Garamba had surrendered, FDLR commanders have announced that 
Garamba had been lured into a meeting with GDRC officials, when he 
was arrested. 
 
¶10.  (SBU) MONUC reported that approximately 200 FDLR troops 
surrendered to DDRRR at Bunyakiri on February 8. 
 
¶11.  (SBU) MONUC reported that DDRRR repatriated 327 Rwandan Hutus, 
including 63 ex-combatants from Bukavu on February 9. 
 
¶12.  (SBU) Comment: Despite lingering concerns about the military, 
integration, and repatriation processes, most observers agree that 
the trends in Eastern DRC are positive.  Few believe the RDF will 
depart the DRC by the end of February, but most agree that the GoR 
and GDRC can finesse the exit date.  The GDRC survived the initial 
shock and opposition to the Rwandan entry.  Continued good relations 
and operational success will be key to longer-term stability and 
peace.  End Comment. 
 
Political Developments 
---------------------- 
 
¶13.  (SBU) MONUC Kinshasa told post that a delegation of 30 local 
chiefs (Mwami)from North Kivu had been invited to Gisenyi recently 
to receive a briefing on the objectives of the operations.  The 
group is presently in Kinshasa to hopefully meet with President 
Kabila.  MONUC speculated that both the GoR and GDRC most likely 
hope to enlist PR support from the Mwamis, perhaps even to include 
support for any extension of the RDF on DRC territory. 
 
KINSHASA 00000149  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
Operation Lightning Thunder 
--------------------------- 
 
¶14.  (SBU) MONUC reported that LRA rebels ambushed FARDC troops on 
February 10 at Sambian, 25 kilometers south of Faradje, injuring 
five.  FARDC sources claimed that 11 LRA troops were killed. 
 
¶15.  (SBU) USAID/DART noted that the inability of humanitarian staff 
to access vulnerable populations, due to insecurity, represents the 
primary obstacle to addressing humanitarian needs. 
 
¶16.  (SBU) According to OCHA statistics, the LRA abducted 540 
children between December 2007 and January 17, 2009. 
 
¶17.  (SBU) UNICEF has voiced concern about increasingly restricted 
access to safe drinking water for the estimated 50,000 IDP's in 
Dungu. 
 
Developments in Ituri 
--------------------- 
 
¶18.  (SBU) MONUC Kinshasa reported that on February 6 unidentified 
militia killed a local chief in Ituri District.  There were also 
unconfirmed reports that elements in FARDC uniforms attacked the 
village of Bayna on February 7. 
 
GARVELINK