Cablegate: Eastern Drc Notes - December 5

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OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #1078 3401155
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 051155Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8867
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 001078

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - DECEMBER 5

1. (U) The items contained in this report consist principally of
spot information from various sources. This report is not
exhaustive, nor can all the information contained therein be
confirmed at this time.

Security Situation
------------------

2. (SBU) At a December 4 Kinshasa briefing, MONUC reported that
anti-FDLR operations should resume in the coming weeks; these
operations were curtailed in recent weeks, as MONUC-supported FARDC
forces remained occupied with CNDP offensives. MONUC Force Command
predicts that the CNDP will tailor its near-term military operations
to threaten population centers, as opposed to securing additional
territory, in order to advance its political objectives.

3. (SBU) In South Kivu, Mai Mai participation in the DDR process is
jeopardized by concerns that the Banyamulenge group FRF is rearming;
the Mai Mai are asking for written guarantees that the FRF is not
in fact rearming. In Ituri, MONUC supported successful FARDC
operations against local militias, including the retaking of the
village of Tchey.

4. (SBU) In Haut Uele, FARDC forces, which had temporarily ceased
anti-LRA operations in anticipation of Kony signing the Final Peace
Agreement (FPA), are now awaiting orders for next steps. In the
wake of the failed signing of the FPA, MONUC fears that self-defense
groups will emerge in the area, fueling increased violence.

Political Developments
----------------------

5. (SBU) MONUC Goma reported that retired Kenyan General Sumbeiwo
arrived in Goma on December 4 in his capacity as senior advisor to
Obasanjo. (Note: Sumbeiwo presided over Sudan peace talks in 2004
and reportedly has a reputation as a skilled negotiator. End note).
Sumbeiwo traveled to Jomba on December 4 to meet CNDP military
commanders, including Nkunda. The Rwandan and Congolese Foreign
Ministers met again in Goma on December 4 in the context of the "4x4
commission." Former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa,
representing the AU, was in Goma to receive a briefing on the
progress of these talks.

6. (SBU) MONUC Goma reported on December 5 that the Sumbeiwo-Nkunda
meeting had gone well. Sumbeiwo presented Nkunda a roadmap for
political negotiations, apparently the same roadmap that Sumbeiwo
had presented to President Kabila earlier in the week. According to
MONUC, Sumbeiwo is suggesting initial GDRC-CNDP talks -- level
undetermined -- in Nairobi for as early as December 8. MONUC has
suggested Kimoka camp as a possible site for follow-on talks.

GARVELINK

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