US embassy cable - 05KINSHASA1998

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 001998 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/10/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, KPKO, CG, UG 
SUBJECT: ITURI UPDATE: THE MILITIA THREAT, PETER KARIM, AND 
UGANDAN INFLUENCE 
 
REF: KINSHASA 1950 
 
Classified By: PolOff CBrown, reasons 1.4 b/d. 
 
1. (C) Summary. PolCouns and PolOff visited Bunia November 
28-30 to review ongoing efforts by MONUC, civil society, 
local government and NGOs to bring peace and stability to the 
historically volatile region. Militia violence continues to 
threaten these efforts despite recent offensives by the 
Congolese military backed by MONUC forces. One militia leader 
in particular, known by the alias Peter Karim, has recently 
gathered militia forces and engaged Congolese troops in the 
areas around Mahagi and Aru. There appears to be a deliberate 
attempt to conceal the true identity of this individual. 
Officials in Bunia believe he is operating with assistance 
from Uganda with the intent of destabilizing the larger Ituri 
District. His actions appear to substantiate these 
suspicions. End Summary. 
 
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MILITIAS IN ITURI: SMALLER BUT STILL A THREAT 
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2. (C) In a series of meetings with PolCouns and PolOff 
November 28-30, officials from MONUC headquarters in Bunia 
discussed the ongoing peace process in Ituri District in 
eastern DRC. (Note: A full readout of these and other 
meetings during the visit will be reported septel. End note.) 
MONUC officials reported a positive overall picture of the 
situation in Bunia, saying Ituri District was clearly moving 
away from the carnage which had enveloped the region for the 
last few years. Officials admitted many challenges remain, 
especially eliminating the remnants of militia groups 
throughout the District. 
 
3. (C) Of particular concern to MONUC officials is the 
activity and violence of the Revolutionary Movement of Congo 
(MRC), a loose affiliation of remaining militia groups in 
Ituri District. MONUC officials say the MRC is an attractive 
option for some young men who find themselves without job 
opportunities. The MRC, consequently, provides these 
(largely) young, uneducated men with a sense of purpose and 
structure, in addition to a life of relative power over 
others. MONUC officials say they have no reliable estimates 
of the number of active MRC members, but estimate those under 
the command of local leader Peter Karim to be around 500. 
 
4. (C) MONUC officials said the MRC's goal is to destabilize 
Ituri. Officials also believe the MRC has Ugandan backing, 
and that individuals in the GOU may be using the MRC to wield 
influence by proxy across the border. MONUC officials said 
they have reliable reports of small arms trafficking by the 
militias from locations in Uganda and other countries in east 
Africa. With such support, small pockets of militias remain a 
"big headache" for MONUC and the Congolese military. 
 
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WHO IS PETER KARIM? 
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5. (C) A new militia leader who recently has emerged in Ituri 
goes by the name Peter Karim. In late November, MONUC and 
Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) 
troops engaged in a series of firefights against Karim and 
militia elements reportedly under his command (reftel). MONUC 
characterizes Karim as a local businessman and illegal trader 
and a member of the local Lendu ethnic group. MONUC officials 
believe Karim is a former commander with the Ugandan People's 
Defense Forces (UPDF) during the civil war in DRC who was 
particularly known for his cruelty. MONUC officials believe 
Karim is now engaged in militia activity solely for economic 
reasons. His goal is to increase his illegal trade of wood 
and gold across the border with Uganda in exchange for arms. 
 
6. (C) However, other officials in Bunia give a different 
opinion as to the identity of Peter Karim. Petronelle Vaweka, 
Ituri's District Commissioner, told PolCouns and PolOff 
during their visit that she believes there are two men who 
are going by the name Peter Karim. The first Karim is, as 
MONUC officials described, a Congolese who fled to Uganda 
during the war, acquired Ugandan citizenship and returned to 
the DRC a little over a year ago. A friend of RCD/KL leader 
Mbusa Nyamwisi, this Karim lives in Butembu and runs his 
illegal trade from there. This "original" Peter Karim is 
different from the man now conducting militia activities in 
Ituri. 
 
7. (C) Vaweka said the other Peter Karim in question is an 
ethnic Abdu (her own tribe) whose original name was Udalla. 
She speculated that they may even be cousins. Vaweka recalled 
having met this man a few months ago while negotiating the 
release of two MONUC Moroccan soldiers being held hostage by 
militia forces. Vaweka said Karim/Udalla went to Uganda about 
two years ago and probably received Ugandan military training 
with Jerome Kakalele, the former commander of the Peoples 
Armed Forces of Congo (FAPC). Vaweka said Karim/Udalla was 
returned to the Mahagi and Aru areas of Ituri District by the 
Ugandans with the sole goal of destabilizing the region. In 
addition, he was given the name "Peter Karim" in order to 
confuse security authorities as to his true identity and the 
source of his military support. Vaweka said Karim/Udalla has 
reportedly been seen receiving assistance from Ugandan 
intelligence and military advisers. 
MEECE