US embassy cable - 05KINSHASA126

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000126 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREF, PHUM, PREL, CG 
SUBJECT: CONGOLESE SEEK REFUGE IN UGANDA FROM CONFLICT IN 
THE EAST 
 
1. (U) Summary. Fighting in Ituri and N. Kivu during December 
and early January resulted in the exodus of close to 20,000 
refugees from the DRC into Uganda. Some refugees have been 
transferred to a camp in the Ugandan interior, others remain 
in border areas where humanitarian agencies are providing 
them assistance, and significant numbers have already 
returned to the DRC. Fighting in both areas has declined and 
UN agencies do not expect further refugee movements. End 
Summary. 
 
Refugees Flee Ituri 
------------------- 
 
2. (U) UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and MONUC 
sources told poloff January 19 that fighting that began in 
mid-December in the area near Lake Albert in Ituri had caused 
5,000-7,000 people to cross the Lake into Nkondo, Uganda. 
According to MONUC, fighting around the Tchomia area of Lake 
Albert has been motivated by a struggle for leadership within 
the Party for Unity and Safeguarding the Integrity of Congo 
(PUSIC) militia controlling the area. During this struggle, 
the Union of Congolese Patriots-Lubanga (UPC-L) also tried 
unsuccessfully to take over Tchomia, an area with lucrative 
customs and trade opportunities. 
 
Refugees Flee N. Kivu 
--------------------- 
 
3. (U) UNHCR sources said fighting in North Kivu between 
Mai-Mai and ex-Congolese Rally for Democracy-Goma (RCD-G) 
elements starting in December and intensifying January 12, 
sent approximately 10,000 refugees into Ishasha, Uganda. As 
of January 21, however, the situation in the area of conflict 
has improved and up to 7,000 refugees have returned to the 
DRC. 
 
Humanitarian Assistance 
----------------------- 
 
4. (U) UNHCR representatives in Kinshasa said that refugees 
in Nkondo and Ishasha are receiving humanitarian assistance 
from MSF-France, UNICEF, and the World Food Program. However, 
there is a shortage of drinking water and insufficient access 
to health care. UNHCR has already transferred 1,157 refugees 
from Nkondo, and 1,089 from Ishasha to a more permanent 
refugee camp deeper in Uganda (Kyaka II) to provide better 
assistance and greater security to remaining refugees. Since 
the fighting in Ituri and N. Kivu has ceased and the 
situation has stabilized, UNHCR does not expect a further 
exodus of refugees. 
 
5. (U) Bujumbura minimize considered. 
MEECE