By Matthew Russell Lee, Exclusive
UNITED NATIONS, January 28 -- The UN continues to stonewall on questions about its actions and inaction in the Democratic Republic of Congo, from the 126 rapes in Minova by its partners in the Congolese Army FARDC to the question of why it began a procurement for drones back in November when it had not one of the many UN system approvals needed.
Now a leaked e-mail from inside the UN Mission in the Congo, MONUSCO, reflects UN awareness that its partners in FARDC work with the FDLR militia.
A January 21 e-mail from MONUSCO's Lt Col Rajeev Sharma, G3 Chief Operation Officer in North Kivu, to Hiroute Guebre Sellassie, Gabriel Kabore and others, states that the "FDLR battalion commanded by Lt. Col. Ezra Kalebu is reported to be operating in the localities of: Kishishi, Kibirizi, Bambo, Mubambiro, Sake, Kiroche, Ishasha and Minova. In all these places, the FDLR has full FARDC backing."
The January 21 e-mail continues that FDLR "are particularly supported by Brig. Gen. Masunzu, the commander of the FARDC South Kivu military region." The full e-mail is below.
So why does MONUSCO work with the FARDC? Including, it seems, the units presence at Minova in late November during / doing the 126 rapes?
At the January 28 noon briefing in New York, even when Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's deputy spokesman Eduardo Del Buey said he would only take one or two questions, Inner City Press asked two about the DRC:
Deputy Spokesperson Del Buey: I have time for a couple of questions. Matthew?
Inner City Press: Sure, I wanted to ask you, they are both about [ Democratic Republic of the Congo]. One is about this fighting in Katanga Province, where people say that there is militias [sic] fighting the Government; thousands of people are displaced. Is MONUSCO (United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo) able to do anything or is it outside of its base of operations?
Then, I wanted to ask you about drones. It was said here on Friday that the procurement had been launched by DPKO (Department of Peacekeeping Operations), and in looking into it, it looks like the procurement began 28 November and ran through 11 January. So, it looks like DPKO started procuring drones for West Africa and Central Africa before they had any approval, even this most recent letter from the Security Council. So, I wanted to know, on what basis did DPKO begin procuring drones, and is it, in fact, the case that they intend to use them in West Africa, as the procurement document states?
Deputy Spokesperson: Well, I will have to find out on both issues for you, Matthew. I have nothing to add to what Farhan [Haq] said Friday.
What Haq said on Friday, when asked about a January 22 letter from Masood Khan as Security Council president for January was that the procurement of drones had been launched. Actually, it was launched months before the "approval," and is already closed.
Here's the inital video #LADSOUS2013, soft launched January 27.
Here is the full MONUSCO e-mail, hard to ask DPKO about it since Ladsous has refused all Press questions for months:
MONUSCO-NKB-G3 Chief/MONUSCO/UNFIELDMISSIONS
01/21/2013 09:13 P
To Hiroute Guebre Sellassie/MONUSCO/UNFIELDMISSIONS@UNFIELDMISSIONS, MONUSCO-HQ-DCOS Ops/MONUSCO/UNFIELDMISSIONS@UNFIELDMISSIONS, Sidibe/MONUSCO/UNFIELDMISSIONS@UNFIELDMISSIONS /UNFIELDMISSIONS@UNFIELDMISSIONS, MONUSCO-
cc MONUSCO-NKB- /MONUSCO/UNFIELDMISSIONS@UNFIELDMISSIONS, @UNFIELDMISSIONS, MONUSCO-NKB-JORDSF-
Subject SPECIAL REPORT: CONCENTRATION OF EX MAI-MAI CADRES IN KIBRIZI (17 KM SW OF COB RWINDI)
SPECIAL REPORT: CONCENTRATION OF EX MAI-MAI CADRES IN KIBRIZI (17 KM SW OF COB RWINDI)
1. Village chief, Kibrizi informed COB, Rwindi that Col Mukalai and Lt Col Kambale Celemon from 8 MR, FARDC had been sensitising the youth in the general area Kibrizi (17 km SW of COB Rwindi) for the past one week to refrain from joining negative forces. They are constantly in touch with the surrendered cadres, residing in the general area Kibrizi, and are motivating them to integrate into the National Army of FARDC.
2. The village chief also informed that approx several ex Mai Mai Cadres (600-650 from general area Pinga and 250-300 from general area Kibrizi) have gathered in Kibrizi on 20 Jan 2013 for integration into FARDC. Out of the above, 390-450 cadres have been accommodated in an adhoc camp established near FOMAC Bn, located at Kibrizi, while the rest of the cadres are staying with the villagers.
3. On contacting 2IC FOMAC, he confirmed the input and stated that necessary steps are being taken for their reintegration.
4. There appear to be a large scale integration and alliance of FDLR/Mai-Mai/APCL into FARDC in North Kivu/South Kivu and Ituri which is a cause of concern.
5. NORTH KIVU
Lt. Col. Ezra Kalebu:
FDLR presence in North Kivu provincial capital, Goma, in the blanket cover of the 41st Battalion of FARDC. Including other locations like: Mudja, Rusayo and Kanyati.
FDLR battalion commanded by Lt. Col. Ezra Kalebu is reported to be operating in the localities of: Kishishi, Kibirizi, Bambo, Mubambiro, Sake, Kiroche, Ishasha and Minova. In all these places, the FDLR has full FARDC backing.
6. SOUTH KIVU:
Brig. Gen. Masunzu,
FDLR and dependents, in South Kivu have been noticed on the move to safer places by help of FARDC. Deadly clashes with one of the local Congolese Mai-Mai Raïa Mutomboki group, opposed to the FDLR criminal activities against innocent Congolese, caused this movement. The FDLR are fleeing from: Raïa Mutomboki in Shabunda and Kalehe. (FDLR) are particularly supported by Brig. Gen. Masunzu, the commander of the FARDC South Kivu military region.
7. Action by MONUSCO. MONUSCO Plans for receipt of UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) / drones for surveillance in Eastern DRC should be expedited to continuously monitor this. The situation is being closely monitored in the AOR. An ADP is being launched on 22 Jan 13 to corroborate the input, ascertain further details and ensure security in the area.
With Warm Regards,
Lt Col Rajeev Sharma
G3 Chief Operation Officer
G3 Chief Operation Officer
MONUSCO
Watch this site.
