VZCZCXRO9329
OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #0516/01 1541211
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 031211Z JUN 09
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9663
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 000516 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT:  EASTERN DRC NOTES - JUNE 3 
 
¶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 therein be 
confirmed at this time. 
 
Anti-LRA Operations 
------------------- 
 
¶2.  (SBU) The FARDC has deployed additional troops to Banda in Haut 
Uele District following a series of small-scale LRA attacks in the 
past week.  There are reportedly 6000 FARDC troops in Haut Uele, and 
the GDRC intends to deploy another 2000 soldiers. 
 
¶3.  (U) The World Food Program noted that insecurity and bad road 
conditions are hampering delivery of food assistance to LRA-affected 
areas in Haut-Uele.  Recently, a convoy of humanitarian assistance 
(seven trucks with food and four trucks with non-food items) took 
more than 40 days to travel from Beni to Dungu. 
 
Security Situation in Ituri 
--------------------------- 
 
¶4.  (SBU) In northeastern Ituri District, 40 prisoners, who escaped 
from the Aru prison, remain at large.  The escape was reportedly 
staged following the death of a prisoner from starvation.  (Comment: 
Prisoners often depend on family and friends for food, and deaths 
from starvation are not unusual.  End comment.) 
 
¶5.  (SBU) MONUC announced that 30-35 troops from an FRPI splinter 
group surrendered to FARDC units in Bolenzabo in northern Ituri. 
MONUC cautioned, however, that final numbers are not yet verified. 
Civilians displaced by FARDC advances against the FPRI and FPJC 
rebels are returning to homes around Marabo, north of Tchey. 
 
Security Situation in the Kivus 
------------------------------- 
 
¶6.  (SBU) Armed men ambushed an escorted World Food Program convoy 
near Kalembe, near Pinga in North Kivu.  Casualties are not yet 
known.  The area is considered an FDLR stronghold. 
 
¶7.  (SBU) FDLR cadre attacked FARDC troops on the Bukavu-Mwenga axis 
in South Kivu on June 1 at three different points -- Mwenga, Kasika 
and Sungwe.  In a coordinated action, the attackers burned dozens of 
houses and looted some 50 homes and several shops.  At least one 
FARDC soldier and three civilians were killed.  The FDLR assembled 
approximately 200 troops in Bulinga, just north of Mwenga, on May 30 
before launching the strikes.  MONUC reportedly responded to the 
attack, but did not directly engage the FDLR.  MONUC analysts 
believe the large coordinated attacks are designed to demoralize the 
FARDC and deter them from launching Operation Kimia II in the 
mine-rich area.  FARDC and FDLR forces have long cooperated in 
exploiting the local mines, but MONUC has brought in over 2000 FARDC 
troops trained for Kimia II who have no connections to local FDLR 
commanders. 
 
¶8.  (U) Radio Okapi reports that Michel Rukunda Makanika, commander 
of the Minembwe-based rebel group FRF ("Forces Republicaines 
Federalistes" in French) said the group will not change its position 
on refusing to demobilize, unless the GDRC addresses FRF concerns, 
notably the return of refugees, community development, and local 
security in the Minembwe area.  Rukunda spoke to MONUC, UNDP, and 
IOM delegates who were visiting Kamombo and Minembwe yesterday as 
part of the Amani process. 
 
MONUC Training and Operational Command 
-------------------------------------- 
 
¶9.  (SBU) MONUC has launched "mentoring" programs with the FARDC in 
Kanyabayondo, Bunyakiri, Uvira and Shabunda.  The programs, 
involving 550 FARDC troops to date, focus on critical elements of 
discipline, including the need to refrain from civilian abuses. 
(Comment:  While small, the program may be able to demonstrate that 
training can take place alongside operations, an approach resisted 
so far by the FARDC leadership.  End comment.) 
 
¶10.  (SBU) MONUC will try to improve its own command and control 
with a more systematic distribution of information between North and 
South Kivu brigades.  Deputy Chief of Staff Colonel Guy Deacon 
lamented the poor level of coordination during a recent visit to 
Walikale.  He will also implement a duty officer system, which MONUC 
Headquarters lacks at present. 
 
CNDP Objectives 
--------------- 
 
 
KINSHASA 00000516  002 OF 002 
 
 
¶11.  (SBU) Alpha Sow, Chief Political Advisor to MONUC Goma, said 
the CNDP leadership voiced two primary short-term objectives:  the 
release of CNDP political prisoners, and treatment and support for 
wounded CNDP cadre.  Both objectives should be achievable, as 
political prisoners number "in the tens" and the wounded number 
about 200. 
 
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