Cablegate: Situation Report for Drc - November 5, 2008,
VZCZCXRO3806
OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #0972 3101601
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 051601Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8726
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 KINSHASA 000972
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: SITUATION REPORT FOR DRC - NOVEMBER 5, 2008,
AS OF 5:30 PM CENTRAL AFRICAN TIME (GMT +1)
REF: KINSHASA 967
1. (U) All times Kinshasa (GMT + 1) unless otherwise
indicated.
Security Situation in Goma
--------------------------
2. (SBU) USAID officer TDY in Goma/Gisenyi reports continued calm
in Goma. However, because the possible impact of the PARECO-CNDP
fighting (reftel) is unclear, OCHA has recommended that NGO's limit
their movements in the field to the essential. The humanitarian
mission that had gone out with medical supplies to the Rutshuru area
was extracted by MONUC to Rugari and was en route back to Goma
earlier in the day. There was additional PARECO-CNDP fighting last
night following the first round of violence.
3. (SBU) Rutshuru town is currently calm. There has been no
fighting on other axes such as Masisi/Sake/ Walikale, though the
situation at Walikale is being monitored carefully.
4. (SBU) Embassy Kigali has kindly made available to Embassy
Kinshasa a lightly-armored Suburban vehicle for the transport of USG
officials in Goma. The vehicle is in Gisenyi now and will be
brought across the border and fitted with DRC diplomatic plates
tomorrow. Embassy Kinshasa's direct-hire driver, with special
training, will operate the vehicle. The availability of this
vehicle is a significant contribution to the safety of USG personnel
who continue to overnight in Rwanda.
Stabilization and Humanitarian Developments
-------------------------------------------
5. (SBU) European donors (the UK, France, and the EC) pledged
additional funds for humanitarian assistance in North Kivu at a
meeting today in Kinshasa, according to USAID information.
Political Developments
----------------------
6. (SBU) Post has received information that Prime Minister Muzito
will announce this evening that the GDRC will maintain a ceasefire
with the CNDP. He is also expected to announce that General John
Numbi, Chief of the Congolese National Police, will be officially
designated as the GDRC's interlocutor with Nkunda. Additionally,
FARDC "spoilers" such as Etumba and Delphin will be either brought
back to Kinshasa or relieved of their authority.
7. (SBU) An AU-sponsored summit between Kabila and Kagame is
scheduled for Friday in Nairobi. A number of African foreign
ministers are expected to attend. Secretary Rice and EU foreign
ministers are likely to be invited.
BROCK