VZCZCXRO2712
OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #0497/01 1461248
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 261248Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9637
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 000497 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO KTIP CG
SUBJECT:  EASTERN DRC NOTES - MAY 26 
 
¶1.  (U) The information contained in this report consists 
principally of spot reports from various sources.  This cable is not 
exhaustive, nor can all the information contained herein be 
confirmed at this time. 
 
Anti-LRA Operations 
------------------- 
 
¶2.  (SBU) The UPDF recently clashed with the LRA northeast of Tadu 
in the far east of Haut Uele District, resulting in five LRA dead. 
The FARDC reportedly clashed with the LRA near Faradje on May 19, 
but there are no reports of casualties.  Also, on the night of 23 
May, the LRA attacked the village of Bamukandi, four kilometers 
north of Dungu.  According to Radio Okapi, the LRA burned 20 houses, 
killed two civilians, and kidnapped a number of civilians. 
 
Security Situation in the Kivus 
------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  (SBU) An OCHA contact reported that 600-800 Pareco troops have 
expressed a desire to integrate into the FARDC in Oninga, a remote 
village far to the west of Lubero in North Kivu.  A MONUC source who 
recently travelled to the area reported there are many FDLR around 
Oninga who want to repatriate, but only after negotiations with the 
GoR (Note:  This is a common demand and is unlikely to be met.  End 
note). 
 
¶4.  (SBU) In North Kivu, the FDLR attacked police in Kihito and 
Kiwanja (near Nyamilima) on May 20, again raising fears that the 
FDLR is targeting police officers who may be interfering with 
lucrative FDLR trade in the region.  MONUC reported that three 
persons died in the attack, but it is not clear if they were police 
or civilians.  The PNC is reportedly considering consolidating its 
smaller posts in the area or collocating with the FARDC to improve 
security. 
¶5.  (SBU) The FDLR also ambushed the FARDC near Pinga in two 
separate incidents on May 22, resulting in three FARDC dead.  MONUC 
sources believe that the attacks were designed to deter trade on the 
newly re-opened axis, as well as to discredit the FARDC's ability to 
provide security in the area.  In addition, MONUC reports that near 
Hombo, the FDLR has recently pressed some 100 boys into service as 
porters. 
¶6.  (SBU) The FDLR also staged an ambush in Kihuzi-Biega Park in 
South Kivu on May 22, killing three FARDC and 7 civilians.  MONUC 
troops responded to a FARDC appeal for reinforcements, and 
reportedly exchanged fire with the FDLR, possibly resulting in FDLR 
casualties.  According to Radio Okapi, the FDLR also attacked FARDC 
positions near the South Kivu villages of Kabona and Luhago on May 
¶24.  FDLR troops killed two FARDC lieutenants in Luhago and pillaged 
and burned the FARDC camp in Kabona. 
 
¶7.  (SBU) A diplomatic source who recently visited Walikale reported 
seeing dozens of Rwandan troops in the town.  He believes their 
nationality is evident because they do not speak French or Swahili, 
seem to have little knowledge of local geography, avoid contact with 
foreigners, and exhibit greater discipline than FARDC troops.  Many 
residents of Walikale are also convinced the troops are Rwandan 
(Note and comment:  The GoR stated it would leave some intelligence 
and liaison officers in the DRC following joint operations in 
February, so the presence of some Rwandans is not surprising. 
However, it is often difficult to determine if reports of "Rwandans" 
are either ex-CNDP, Congolese who grew up in Rwanda, or Hutu/Tutsi 
from the Rwandaphone communities around Masisi.  End note and 
comment). 
 
¶8.  (SBU) The FARDC-MONUC Joint Operations Center held its first 
formal meeting on May 21.  MONUC contacts hope it will improve 
MONUC's very limited information about operations against the LRA. 
 
IDPs 
---- 
 
¶9.  (SBU) Unconfirmed reports claim nearly 7,000 IDPs have recently 
arrived in Walikale from the Hombo-Bunyakiri region (Note:  A 
diplomatic source who visited Walikale last week estimated that 
there are now 30,000 IDPs near Walikale, based on his interviews 
with IDPs and local NGOs.  End note). 
¶10.  (U) Radio Okapi reported that there are 10,000 new IDPs in the 
Shabunda Territory of South Kivu.  The vast majority of the new IDPs 
are fleeing the May 13 FDLR attacks on Luyuyu and Gigulube villages. 
 
Assistance for the FARDC 
------------------------- 
 
¶11.  (SBU) Salaries for the FARDC have reportedly arrived in Goma, 
and distribution may have already begun.  Many troops have not been 
 
KINSHASA 00000497  002 OF 002 
 
 
paid for three months, and it is not clear whether their back pay is 
also available.  Tracking pay for FARDC units is confusing at best, 
as some soldiers have reportedly received pay for previous months, 
while others have not.  EUSEC, which has been facilitating and 
tracking pay for at least four FARDC brigades since 2005, has had 
its mandate renewed for another three months, through September 2009 
(Comment:  Pay for the troops is especially critical on the eve of 
Operation Kimia II.  Observers hope it will not only induce the 
FARDC to fight, but also improve discipline and curtail human rights 
abuses against civilians.  End comment). 
 
¶12.  (SBU) The new head of MONUC Forward Headquarters, Colonel Guy 
Deacon, is trying to ramp up the "on-the-spot training" of the 
FARDC.  He told us that current efforts by local MONUC commanders to 
mentor the FARDC were too ad hoc, and too focused on the activities 
that were easiest for MONUC rather than those most useful to the 
FARDC. 
 
BROCK