VZCZCXRO1353
OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #0377/01 1061045
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 161045Z APR 09
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9488
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 000377 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - APRIL 16 
 
¶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. 
 
Anti-LRA Operations 
------------------- 
 
¶2.  (U) According to media sources, Ugandan forces engaged the LRA 
in a clash at Banda on April 10.  Media, quoting local Congolese 
government officials, reported that at least five Congolese scouts 
were killed by LRA elements as they led UPDF troops to a suspected 
LRA hideout in the area.  During the ensuing battle, the UPDF 
commander was also killed and the LRA killed "many hostages," whom 
the group had been holding. 
 
Security Situation 
------------------ 
 
¶3.  (SBU) MONUC reported that 16 FDLR forces were killed in a battle 
with FARDC forces south of Kashabere.  FARDC forces apparently 
sustained one casualty. 
 
¶4.  (SBU) MONUC Kinshasa reported that the FARDC has launched small 
scale operations to flush FDLR cadres out of the bush in Katale and 
Lusamambo.  The FDLR, on the other hand, has carried out attacks on 
FARDC positions at Kibua, Kaseke, Bugote, and Kibungu.  According to 
MONUC, the FDLR continues to target and ambush isolated FARDC 
posts/vehicles, rather than engage in larger battles. 
 
Political Situation 
------------------- 
 
¶5.  (U) A tripartite meeting including the DRC, Rwanda, and the 
UNHCR was held April 14-15 in Goma to discuss the conditions 
necessary for the repatriation of over 52,000 Congolese refugees in 
Rwanda and more than 100,000 Rwandan refugees in the DRC.  Rigobert 
Mupondo, Permanent Secretary of the Congolese National Refugee 
Commission, underscored that the meeting aimed to reach a compromise 
on a legal framework to allow for the return of refugees to their 
respective countries.  His Rwandan counterpart, Innocent Ngango, 
noted that, while Rwanda continued to treat Congolese refugees well, 
Rwandan refugees remained virtual hostages to the FDLR.  The 
tripartite called for four main actions:  continuing to improve 
security conditions; undertaking a sensitization campaign; improving 
work methods; and drafting a legal document to facilitate 
repatriation. 
 
¶6.  (U) Prosper Birhakaheka, South Kivu Minister of Health, 
following a visit to an IDP camp in Minova (near the North Kivu 
border), announced that the provincial government would provide 39 
tons in food assistance to the more than 3,000 households in the IDP 
camps in the area.  During his visit, "camp leaders" reportedly told 
Birhakaheka that they were ready to return to their homes "without 
conditions."  Birhakaheka indicated that the IDPs were following the 
improving security situation in North Kivu closely, anticipating an 
eventual return to their homes. 
 
Integration 
----------- 
 
¶7.  (U) In Uvira, at least 132 Mai Mai Shikito fighters came to the 
Luberizi integration center on April 14, handing in 42 guns.  Other 
combatants, from Lemera, Lubarika, Bwegera, and Katogota, are 
apparently awaiting transportation to the Luberizi center, which 
officially opened April 15. 
 
Humanitarian Situation 
---------------------- 
 
¶8.  (U) OCHA Spokesman Nestor Yombo Djema announced on April 15 that 
OCHA remains concerned about the possible humanitarian consequences 
of Kimia II military operations.  Yombo singled out the 
Kalehe-Nabibwe axis, Shabunda, and the Lolingo-Kikulube axis as 
likely areas for massive population displacement.  Yombo also called 
on FARDC forces to desist from looting and raping of the local 
population. 
 
¶9.  (U) Traditional chiefs have warned of growing humanitarian 
problems in certain areas of Orientale Province due to continued LRA 
actions.  Severely over-crowded villages at Ngilima (25,000 people) 
and Baeradi (20,000) are at risk for the spread of diseases, 
including HIV/AIDS, according to local sources.  Caritas, one of the 
few aid organizations operating in the area, acknowledged the 
problem, but also pointed to access limitations due to on-going 
insecurity. 
 
KINSHASA 00000377  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
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