VZCZCXRO2437
OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #0292/01 0861537
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 271537Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9386
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 000292 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT:  EASTERN DRC NOTES - MARCH 27 
 
¶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 in the Kivus 
------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Near Pinga, a PARECO faction under General Ntasibanga has 
threatened to shoot at MONUC helicopters, if they attempt to airlift 
any ex-combatants from the area.  This faction (PARECO Gorilla) has 
also threatened to attack Pinga and warned its population to 
evacuate the town.  Another faction (PARECO Eagle) wants to 
integrate with FARDC forces, and MONUC believes the two may clash in 
the near future.  The MONUC South African Battalion in the area has 
engaged Ntasibanga, telling him such threats are unacceptable. 
However, they do not believe he has the capacity to carry out his 
threats as PARECO Gorilla is very lightly armed, but it may join 
forces with FDLR forces in the area.  At present, MONUC has 84 
troops in Pinga, but will add 80 more over the next several days. 
There are 54 FARDC soldiers in Pinga. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) MONUC has confirmed earlier reports that the FDLR attacked 
a FARDC camp near Kesheshe, adding that three FDLR companies fled 
into the Virunga National Park after setting fire to the camp. 
Further north near Bikenge, 30 MONUC troops and 80 FARDC troops 
advanced on a unit of 45-50 FDLR fighters, but the rebels fled into 
the forest rather than engage. 
 
¶4.  (SBU) FARDC soldiers still have not been paid, and looting is on 
the rise.  MONUC regularly receives reports of tensions in the Kivus 
because of non-payment of salaries.  MONUC has provided food to 
FARDC troops near Lubero, and may extend the support in other 
areas. 
 
¶5.  (SBU) In South Kivu, 1,500 IDP's have shown up in the village of 
Luzira, but the cause of their displacement is unknown. 
Additionally, the FDLR has established bases between Uvira and 
Bukavu, not far from the road that connects the two cities.  The 
FDLR headquarters is at Kigusha under the command of Colonel Alois, 
with FDLR battalions located at Kahungwe, Ndulera, Kahenge, and 
Mwenge, with a company at Mirungu.  The units have not interfered 
with road traffic, but are intent on stopping any DDRRR activities 
in the area. 
 
¶6.  (SBU) A senior MONUC military officer said MONUC is completing 
detailed mapping of FDLR positions as it prepares to implement 
Operation Kimia II.  Working with 11 trained FARDC battalions, MONUC 
first plans to deploy to protect the most vulnerable populations, 
then steadily step up pressure on 14 identified FDLR "areas of 
influence" in North and South Kivu.  Such pressure may involve some 
combat, but is likely to start with attacking FDLR vulnerabilities 
by shutting down FDLR taxation and roadblocks, cutting 
communications lines, pushing the FDLR off lucrative mining sites, 
and disrupting transport of any minerals.  MONUC estimates this 
phase of Operation Kimia II will last at least three months. 
 
Integration Totals 
------------------ 
 
¶7.  (SBU) FARDC commanders report that a total of 4,884 CNDP 
fighters have integrated with the FARDC, bringing 2,351 weapons with 
them (Note:  Other sources state that the CNDP, which was 
traditionally well-armed, has hidden many guns, including some heavy 
weapons.  End Note).  FARDC informs MONUC that a total of 28,446 
troops have integrated, including 6,628 of unclear affiliation. 
SMI, which registers the integrated troops and provides biometric 
identification, counts 15,767 integrated troops to date (Note: 
Although FARDC commanders have a reputation for inflating troop 
numbers, the two figures are not necessarily contradictory; not all 
integrated troops have yet gone through the registration process. 
End Note). 
 
¶8.  (SBU) The GDRC has stated that integration in North Kivu will 
continue for another 15 days.  After that time, anyone with a gun 
that is not in the FARDC will be treated as a bandit and arrested or 
shot.  CNDP sources, however, believe it will take at least 30 days 
to complete integration of its fighters.  Abbe Malu Malu will meet 
with the GDRC Finance Minister on March 27 to decide when to begin 
integration in South Kivu. 
 
Anti-LRA Operations 
------------------- 
 
¶9.  (SBU) The LRA remains active in Haut Uele.  On March 24 and 25, 
the group attacked the villages of Monya and Atakoma, 18 kilometers 
 
KINSHASA 00000292  002 OF 002 
 
 
north of Watsa, and abducted 40 people.  During the same time frame, 
they abducted two doctors and three youths from Nagoya, just west of 
Dungu.  MONUC remains ensconced at Dungu, but plans to deploy to 
Faradje and Duru in the next two weeks.  The FARDC currently has 
about 3,500 soldiers in Haut Uele, but reportedly plans to ramp up 
to 8,000, with logistical help from MONUC. 
 
¶10.  (SBU) Comment:  MONUC is preparing for a more aggressive 
approach to the FDLR, and has issued directives to battalion 
commanders on implementing Operation Kimia II in conjunction with 
the FARDC.  Unfortunately, the FARDC is reverting to its predatory 
habits, and the situation will only worsen if soldiers remain 
unpaid.  Moreover, the recently integrated units demonstrate very 
poor command and control as a result of personnel shakeups and 
changes in commanders.  MONUC's strategy of putting pressure on the 
FDLR by cutting off revenue streams may eventually yield benefits, 
but will not completely neutralize the FDLR.  It is more realistic, 
however, than planning combat without real offensive capability. 
End Comment. 
 
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