INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Joint Monuc-Fardc Patrol Successful Against Fdlr

Published: Wed 15 Oct 2008 04:40 PM
VZCZCXRO6428
OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #0885 2891640
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 151640Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8607
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 000885
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS KPKO CG
SUBJECT: JOINT MONUC-FARDC PATROL SUCCESSFUL AGAINST FDLR
1. (U) MONUC and FARDC units carried out joint patrols October 7-10
in and around the village of Mpofi, 45 kilometers east of Walikale
Town in North Kivu. Limited access to the remote area has
encouraged the presence of FDLR ("Forces democratiques pour la
liberation de Rwanda" in French) and other armed groups who have
engaged in illegal taxation and mining, looting and extortion. The
aim of the operation was to demonstrate a joint MONUC/FARDC presence
in the "hinterland" and conduct sensitization operations to
encourage FDLR participation in the DDRRR (disarmament,
demobilization, repatriation, reintegration, and resettlement)
process. In addition, the action opened the Sake-Mushake axis, an
important supply route for the Walikale region.
2. (U) The joint-force patrol used Mpofi as a base and conducted
patrols in the neighboring villages of Kigoma and Kembe. MONUC
reports the patrols encountered eight FDLR members who were
interviewed by MONUC DDRRR personnel accompanying the patrol. FDLR
elements abandoned two road blocks as a result of the patrols.
3. (U) According to MONUC, the local population welcomed the joint
operation as a means to improve security and protect the area
against armed groups. MONUC noted that the operation was a tangible
expression to extend state authority to remote areas of the country.
(Note: A copy of MONUC's report on the operation was forwarded to
AF/C and Embassy Kigali. End note.)
4. (SBU) Comment: This action was not a military operation per se.
However, within the context of recent combat between FARDC and CNDP
and Rwandan accusations of FARDC/FDLR collaboration (at least one
instance of which has been corroborated by MONUC), it may help
demonstrate GDRC commitment to Operation Kimia and the broader
Nairobi process.
BROCK
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