US embassy cable - 05KINSHASA1648

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001648 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/03/2015 
TAGS: PHUM, PGOV, MARR, CG, RW 
SUBJECT: MASS GRAVES REMINDER OF RWANDAN INVASION 
 
 
Classified By: PolCouns MSanderson, reasons 1.4. b/d. 
 
1. (U)  The grisly discovery over the weekend of three mass 
graves in North Kivu, probably the first of a series likely 
to be soon exhumed, is a reminder of the violence which has 
plagued the Great Lakes region.  MONUC Head of Office Njuzi 
told PolCouns that MONUC's very preliminary estimation is 
that the remains likely are those of Congolese civilians 
killed by Rwandan soldiers (or their Congolese allies) in the 
early stages of the 1996 invasion and war. The site does 
appear to contain what could be the remains of children, he 
said. (Note:  Such "exactions" were unfortunately common 
during this period, which eventually resulted in the deaths 
of almost 4 million Congolese from a variety of causes 
related to two wars.  End Note.)  Villagers near Rutshuru, 
where the first series of graves was uncovered, are now 
working with FARDC and MONUC to try to locate the almost 
forgotten sites where other victims have lain neglected. 
MONUC human rights officers have launched an investigation, 
although results are not likely for some time. 
 
2. (C)  North Kivu Governor Eugene Serufuli told PolCouns 
October 3 he is worried about the possible impact on 
elections registration as well as provincial security. 
Anti-Tutsi sentiment, always a cause for concern, is likely 
to surge, Serufuli said, adding that so far there have been 
only a few isolated instances of Tutsis in the province being 
denied the right to register to vote.  Serufuli is concerned, 
however, that the discovery of the mass graves could lead to 
increased tension among the major tribal groups in the 
province, i.e., Hutus and Tutsis in one camp, Nandi and 
smaller tribes in the other. 
 
3. (C)  Comment:  To a certain extent we share Serufuli's 
concern.  Congolese Tutsis, particularly in South Kivu but 
also in North Kivu where they are a decided minority, are 
frequently the targets of hate messages.  The Nkunda/Mutebusi 
military action against Bukavu in May/June 2004 was the last 
flashpoint which resulted in thousands of Banyamulenge (South 
Kivu Congolese Tutsis) fleeing to Rwanda as refugees to 
escape the vengeance of other tribal elements in Bukavu.  The 
dynamic in North Kivu, however, is distinct from South Kivu, 
and this incident, while horrific, is already old and 
therefore does not have the immediate incendiary impact of 
Nkunda's attack.  Likewise, although the Tutsis themselves 
account for probably only five percent of the population in 
North Kivu, when taken together with the Hutus the two 
together are slightly over fifty percent.  We think, 
therefore, that although a temporary spike in anti-Tutsi 
rhetoric could take place in North Kivu, the fallout from 
this discovery should be manageable as long as large numbers 
of new victims are not also uncovered. 
 
4. (C)  The discovery of the mass graves is a grim reminder 
of the years of conflict from 1996-2003, during which there 
were at various times eight national armies operating in 
Congolese territory.  There are most certainly more mass 
graves to be found in the Kivus, and likely around Kisangani 
(Orientale Province), and perhaps elsewhere.  United 
Nations-led efforts in 1997 to investigate reports of mass 
killings were stymied by the authorities then in place, and 
there has been little systematic investigation of the reports 
since then.  The vast majority of Congolese through the 
entire eastern region are terrified of the prospects of 
renewed war, particularly involving foreign forces, which 
makes the implications of the recent incursion of the LRA 
elements into northeastern DRC that much more worrisome. 
MEECE