VZCZCXRO0085
OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #0721/01 2111128
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 301128Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9950
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 000721 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS KPKO CG
SUBJECT:   EASTERN DRC NOTES - JULY 30 
 
REF:    KINSHASA 711 
 
¶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. 
 
Security Situation - LRA 
------------------------ 
 
¶2.  (SBU) During two July 11 LRA attacks on villages near Faradje, 
six civilians were killed and 12 were abducted. On July 13 FARDC 
attacked an LRA position in the same area and claimed four LRA 
casualties.  In two separate actions on July 18, the FARDC clashed 
with the LRA near Banda, leaving two rebels dead.  FARDC claims one 
LRA cadre was captured and one surrendered in a clash 11 kilometers 
west of Faradje. 
 
Security Situation - Ituri 
-------------------------- 
 
¶3.  (SBU) A group of 150-170 troops allegedly identified as FPJC 
("Front Congolaise pour la Justice au Congo" in French) surrounded 
the town of Rwampara (south of the border town of Kasenyi) on July 
16 and looted food and valuables.  The FARDC responded on July 17 
but the perpetrators had fled.  MONUC confirmed the numbers of 
looters as between 150-170, but could not confirm their identity. 
The number is larger than suspected FPJC concentrations in the area, 
and a MONUC source speculated that the looters may have been bandits 
from a nearby village. 
 
¶4.  (SBU) FARDC Operation "Iron Stone" (phase III) increased pace 
from July 20 with a series of actions against FRPI ("Front de 
Resistance Patriotique d'Ituri" in French) in villages southwest of 
Bunia.  The FARDC encountered active resistance in Matalala, but was 
able to advance into areas further to the west.  An estimated 20-25 
FRPI fired their weapons around Gety (east of Matatala) in what may 
have been a diversionary action. 
 
Security Situation -- North Kivu 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶5.  (SBU) A Congolese MSF-France employee was shot and killed in 
Kiwanja during an apparent robbery on July 20 (reftel). 
 
¶6.  (SBU) MONUC reports that FDLR surrenders are up, especially in 
North Kivu.  Seventeen FDLR surrendered to MONUC four kilometers 
north of Kiwanja during the week of July 13. 
 
¶7.  (SBU) The FARDC killed two Pareco milita members and captured 13 
in a firefight north of Kiwanja on July 20-21.  A clash with FDLR in 
the village of Mbugawiya resulted in two FDLR killed.  The FARDC and 
national police (PNC) may be dissatisfied with the levels of MONUC 
support for operations against both FDLR and Pareco around 
Mbugawiya; MONUC reports that FARDC troops pelted a MONUC patrol 
with stones.  FARDC troops have also been looting villages to the 
north and south of Kanyabayonga. 
 
Security Situation -- South Kivu 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶8.  (SBU) The FARDC attacked FDLR "Rainbow" Brigade's headquarters 
near Ndolera in Kalehe on July 21, captured the brigade commander, 
Major John, and - after a three-hour pitched battle - drove the FDLR 
from the base. No casualty figures were immediately available. 
(Comment: The FARDC 33rd Brigade carried out the action and includes 
a high proportion of former CNDP.  End comment). 
 
¶9.  (SBU) On July 16, FARDC killed two FDLR at Mashere near 
Bunyakiri.  On July 18, there was a series of engagements in and 
around Mwenga: the FARDC attacked three FDLR positions, including a 
training camp, and claim four killed and 25 captured (Note:  MONUC 
doubts the veracity of these numbers.  End note.).  The FDLR 
simultaneously attacked the FARDC base in Mwenga.  There were no 
reported casualties.  On July 21 at Sange, north of Uvira, the FDLR 
fired rockets on a FARDC border post, causing the latter to flee. 
MONUC suspects this was the intention and that the FDLR used the 
opportunity to smuggle men and/or weapons and ammunition into the 
DRC across the border with Burundi. 
 
Integration and DDRRR 
--------------------- 
 
¶10.  (SBU) MONUC reports that 44 ex-combatants, collectively 
producing one weapon between them, arrived in Luberizi July 18-19. 
(Comment:  Integration, despite being officially closed as of July 
 
KINSHASA 00000721  002.2 OF 002 
 
SUBJECT:   EASTERN DRC NOTES - JULY 30 
15, apparently remains open for business.  End coment).  Colonel 
Abuta, the leader of a Mai-Mai Zbuloni splinter group has 
surrendered to the FARDC at Uvira.  He told UN Plice (UNPOL) that 
the leader of the remaining Zauloni splinter groups, Major Fujo, 
will also soo enter the DDRRR process.  It is unclear how many mn 
either Mai Mai commander will bring with them. 
 
¶11.  (SBU) A source in the MONUC DDRRR reports hat FDLR requests 
for repatriation are rising, ad recent FDLR applicants include a 
captain and tree majors.  Two of the majors are from the FDLR-RU 
faction, including one who was assigned to "kee an eye on" the 
FDLR-RUD troops in Kasiki and wh went to Rwanda for a "go and see" 
visit earlierthis year.  The captain who recently defected said 
supplies have not run low in most areas, but thatcommanders are 
finding it increasingly difficultto justify why the FDLR is 
carrying on the fightto younger recruits.  FDLR movement provides 
newopportunities for rank and file troops to defect. The FDLR 
continues to recruit, however, and contiues to maintain a training 
school for recent recuits. 
 
¶12.  (SBU) MONUC reports that many of the1000-2000 Mai Mai who have 
gathered in Kndu, Maniema Province are opting for demobilization 
and community projects rather than joining the FARDC.  In Luberezi, 
484 militia members have chosen to return to their villages.  A UN 
source notes that they are not under the same pressure as North Kivu 
armed groups to integrate, and thus inflate their numbers so that 
their commanders can lay claim to higher FARDC ranks. 
 
¶13.  (SBU) Comment:  The FARDC has been more active recently in 
implementing Operation Kimia II, and is squeezing the FDLR in 
several locations, especially in South Kivu.  The casualty figures 
are not reliable -- there is no doubt FARDC casualties are 
underreported -- but MONUC does attempt to verify FDLR killed by 
investigating the number of bodies recovered.  The reports of 
clashes are reasonably accurate, but pitched battles remain rare and 
casualties low.  The FDLR may be inconvenienced and perhaps even 
demoralized, but it is far from eliminated.  Still, with MONUC fuel 
and food, an improved record of salary payments (due in large part 
to the June 30 Independence Day Goma visit of President Kabila), and 
a reliance on former CNDP for aggressive actions, the FARDC has 
marginally improved upon its dismal record as a fighting force. 
Civilians have paid a heavy price, but the UN political leadership 
appears determined to see the operation through.  End comment. 
 
GARVELINK