VZCZCXRO5534
OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #0931 3011206
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 271206Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8674
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 000931
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS KPKO PHUM PREF CG
SUBJECT: GOMA NOTES: CNDP RETAKES RUMANGABO
1. (SBU) Summary: The CNDP has retaken the FARDC base at
Rumangabo, as well as the town of Rumangabo. The CNDP claimed its
actions were 'pre-emptive.' The fighting died down by nightfall
October 26, but there is concern that the Goma-Rutshuru road will be
blocked, something MONUC has consistently said it will not allow.
End Summary.
2. (SBU) On the morning of October 26, the CNDP retook the FARDC
camp at Rumangabo, as well as the town of Rumangabo. CNDP Spokesman
Bertrand Bisimwa claimed that the CNDP had been 'obligated' to take
back Rumangabo because the FARDC had been attacking CNDP positions
at Ntamugenga and Busanza the past four days. Bisimwa told Goma
poloff that the CNDP had intercepted a letter from FARDC Colonel
Delphin to MONUC, in which Delphin claimed the FARDC would soon
attack the strategically important town of Tongo. Thus, in the view
of the CNDP, their attack on Rumangabo was 'pre-emptive.'
3. (SBU) The fighting died down by nightfall on October 26. MONUC
has contacted the CNDP requesting that the rebel group evacuate the
area. There is some fear that the fighting could block the
Goma-Rutshuru road to commercial and humanitarian traffic. MONUC
has consistently stated that it would not allow the road to be
blocked. Many local residents, including IDP's have fled towards
Goma.
BROCK