VZCZCXRO4350
OO RUEHC
DE RUEHKI #0708/01 2031509
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 221509Z JUL 09 ZUI UR SVC #4935
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9937
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 000708 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS KPKO CG
SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - JULY 22 
 
REF: KINSHASA 691 
 
¶1.  (U) The information contained in this cable 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. 
 
Congolese Caritas employee killed 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (SBU) A Congolese citizen employed by Caritas was shot and 
killed by men in uniform south of Kiwanja on July 15.  Post is 
confirming details and will report septel. 
 
Security Situation - LRA 
------------------------ 
 
¶3.  (SBU) The MONUC Company Operating Base (COB) is operational at 
Dingila, west of Dungu (reftel).  MONUC troops have performed a 
reconnaissance patrol to Bandu, north of Dingila, and reported that 
the locals welcomed the MONUC presence.  (Comment: Until recently, 
MONUC has largely confined itself to its base at Dungu.  It remains 
uncertain if daytime patrols to nearby villages will significantly 
increase civilian security.  End comment). 
 
North Kivu 
---------- 
 
¶4. (SBU) The FARDC engaged in a short firefight with the FDLR near 
Kashebere on July 15.  No casualties were reported. 
 
¶5. (SBU) MONUC DDRRR has recently expanded operations to Oninga in 
the northwest corner of North Kivu province where there is a 
significant FDLR presence.  The FDLR forces have expressed an 
interest in repatriation, but warned that they would take action 
against any integrated CNDP troops that the FARDC deploys to the 
region. 
 
South Kivu 
---------- 
 
¶6. (SBU) Villagers around Mwenga led MONUC troops to fresh graves in 
the area to show that MONUC actually killed four FDLR troops (vice 
one as reported earlier) in the FDLR attack on the MONUC base on 
July 13 (reftel).  Locals estimated that four additional FDLR 
attackers were wounded, two of them seriously.  (Comment: The 
potential casualty rate, eight out of the estimated 11 FDLR who took 
part in the attack, may deter the FDLR from future direct 
confrontations with MONUC.  End comment). 
 
¶7.  (SBU) The FDLR has denied that it conducted the attack at Mwenga 
on July 13, claiming that a FARDC/RDF (Rwandan Defense Forces) 
coalition was responsible.  MONUC sources assured Goma poloff on 
July 15 that they recovered the body of one of the attackers and 
that locals identified the casualty as a known FDLR member.  The 
FARDC are reinforcing the area with at least two additional 
battalions, a critical step since some of the current FARDC troops 
(and possibly the local FARDC commander) may be colluding with the 
FDLR. 
 
¶8.  (SBU) MONUC and South Kivu residents report that an estimated 
nine groups of FDLR are moving to the southern parts of the province 
due to FARDC pressure in the north.  Some of the FDLR groups 
reportedly come from as far away as Masisi.  The FDLR incursions 
into southern South Kivu have driven thousands of IDPs to flee north 
towards Mulamba. 
 
¶9. (SBU) FDLR troops ambushed a FARDC patrol and killed two 
government soldiers on the road between Sange and Lemera (northwest 
of Luberizi).  The FARDC then mounted a counterattack against the 
FDLR, reportedly killing three FDLR. 
 
¶10.  (SBU) Armed group movements and attacks in the Bunyakiri-Hombo 
area have forced thousands of locals to flee, but there is no 
established IDP camp in the area and most have sought refuge in 
homes.  The FDLR abducted and raped eight women in Bunyakiri on July 
¶13.  Several humanitarian agencies have suspended operations in the 
area.  Seven FARDC soldiers who were kidnapped by Mai Mai militia 
near Hombo on July 9 were released within a day without their 
weapons. 
 
¶11. (SBU) Several sources confirm that Pakistani forces in South 
Kivu are stretched thin and new deployments will be difficult.  The 
South Kivu brigade was equipped for 12 COBs throughout the province, 
and is now supporting 18.  This is the primary reason MONUC shut 
down the Temporary Operating Base (TOB) at Kibombo on the Haut 
 
KINSHASA 00000708  002 OF 002 
 
 
Plateau. 
 
Integration Formally Over 
------------------------- 
 
¶12. (SBU) Integrated militia troops in South Kivu continue to 
consolidate at Luberizi, and the integration center at Kalehe will 
soon close.  On July 22, Luberizi will formally become a training 
center and support from MONUC's Eastern Coordination unit will end. 
The FARDC has stated it will take over responsibility for the 
estimated 2000 integrated troops (including up to 1000 from Kindu, 
Maniema province) but donors have some doubts that the FARDC will be 
able to adequately support the camp.  Eastern Coordination is nearly 
out of funds to support integration, but has a small reserve to 
assist in an emergency.  The Head of the Eastern Coordination has 
asked donors to support the decision to turn over responsibility to 
the FARDC and urge the government to support it with adequate 
resources. 
 
¶13. (SBU) The integration period for South Kivu officially came to a 
close on July 15.  If the North Kivu model is any guide, exceptions 
will be made to accommodate new recruits at Luberizi.  The door to 
an integration deal between the FRF ("Forces Republicaines 
Federalistes" in French) and the GDRC will likely remain open as 
well.  From July 15, armed groups in South Kivu are officially 
considered illegal groups. (Comment: Given that only a small 
fraction of the armed groups in South Kivu integrated, and a much 
smaller percentage turned in weapons, it is difficult to consider 
the integration process in South Kivu a "success".  End comment). 
 
Minova Survey 
------------- 
 
¶14.  (SBU) Goma poloff, A/RSO and USAID Food for Peace Officer 
visited Minova, approximately two hours southwest of Goma, on July 
15 to survey the local security and humanitarian situation.  The 
Acting Commander at the MONUC Company Operating Base (COB) reported 
that the area was secure following FARDC operations to clear FDLR 
from Numbi and areas to the north.  Villagers near Numbi now report 
problems with the FARDC, which often does not receive food rations 
or salaries that are administered through Bukavu.  The MONUC 
commander said relations with the FARDC were good, and the 
militaries exchanged information on a weekly basis.  He said the 
FARDC consulted MONUC on its Kimia II plans, and informs them when 
commencing operations. 
 
¶15.  (SBU) MONUC operations officers in Goma presented a different 
picture when poloff consulted them following the Acting Commander's 
briefing.  They noted the FARDC keep MONUC informed when they need 
support, but often fail to report significant events when they don't 
require help.  The FARDC information is generally self-serving and 
unreliable, largely because the FARDC often does not know the 
disposition of its own troops and the chain of command is frequently 
arbitrary.  Most MONUC COBs rely on Brigade Headquarters in Bukavu 
and Goma for information, which is given on a "need to know" basis. 
Communication between battalions in South Kivu is uneven.  For 
example, the Minova COB officers did not know about the FDLR attack 
on the Mwenga COB on July 13.  Confirmed information is scarce. 
Estimates of FARDC strength in the region ranged from 400 to 2400. 
(Comment: Post has long known that MONUC commanders paint a rosier 
picture of operations than may be the case.  However, it is 
disconcerting that information sharing is apparently so poor in the 
midst of a full-scale military collaboration.  End comment). 
 
Military Justice - South Kivu 
----------------------------- 
 
¶16.  (SBU) A Sergeant "Eric" of the FARDC was convicted of rape by 
the new military tribunal established in Kivumu and staffed by FARDC 
Generals Etumba and Masunzu and Colonel Dephin, as well as a 
civilian judge.  Sgt. Eric was convicted of raping a pregnant woman 
during recent clashes in Mwenga.  He was sentenced to 15 years in 
jail without parole and ordered to pay the victim $3000.  (Comment: 
The victim is unlikely to see any money, but a MONUC political 
advisor believes Sgt. Eric will serve the time.  The FARDC has made 
an example of this junior officer, whose crimes sparked a community 
protest in Mwenga.  It remains to be seen whether any higher-ranking 
officers will be targeted for prosecution.  End comment). 
 
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