Cablegate: North Kivu Update (9/11/07 16:00 Gmt): Region

VZCZCXRO4267
PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #1087 2541637
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 111637Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6855
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001087

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ASEC KPKO MOPS CG
SUBJECT: NORTH KIVU UPDATE (9/11/07 16:00 GMT): REGION
REMAINS CALM FOR ANOTHER DAY

REF: KINSHASA 1082

1. (SBU) North Kivu remained relatively calm September 11,
five days after MONUC peacekeepers facilitated a halt in
fighting outside the provincial capital Goma between soldiers
loyal to dissident General Laurent Nkunda and pro-government
forces. MONUC and Congolese military (FARDC) officials told
us they have received no new reports of any major fighting
anywhere in the province between the two sides. MONUC
spokesmen in Goma told us there was a limited exchange of
gunfire September 11 between Mayi-Mayi militia forces and
Nkunda loyalists around the village of Rubaya, about 25 miles
north of Goma in Masisi territory. Rubaya has been under the
control of Nkunda's forces since late August. A combination
of supposed Mayi-Mayi and FDLR fighters attacked Nkunda
forces September 9 elsewhere in Masisi (reftel).

2. (SBU) MONUC military officials told us they remain
concerned about the continuing movement of various forces
throughout the province. FARDC authorities in North Kivu said
the integrated brigades are reinforcing their positions near
Sake and in Rutshuru territory north of Goma. MONUC military
observers report that pro-Nkunda elements have also dug into
positions in the hills surrounding Sake, while troop
movements have been observed in parts of Masisi territory
under Nkunda's control.

3. (U) MONUC officials confirmed September 10 that its
peacekeepers successfully evacuated a group of FARDC soldiers
and their families from an Nkunda-held area on September 9.
Upon request from FARDC authorities in the region, a
contingent of MONUC peacekeepers escorted 102 soldiers and
their dependents (55 women and 69 children) from a military
base in Kichanga about 30 miles northwest of Goma to a
government-controlled area in Nyanzale, about 15 miles
further north. The soldiers were pro-government troops from
the mixed Delta Brigade.

4. (U) MONUC continues its patrols in and around Goma as well
as other population centers. The UN mission's spokesman in
Goma reiterated MONUC's resolve to defend such areas against
any attacks. In addition to increased air and ground patrols,
MONUC has deployed two more companies of peacekeepers to the
province from South Kivu.
BROCK

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