Tshisekedi ,president of the republic dismisses the head of P-DDRCS, one day after a document attesting to his seevice mission in uganda .
Mr. BAHALA OKW'IBALE LUSHEKE Jean-Bosco, national coordinator of the Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Recovery and Stabilization Program was revoked.
DRC wishes to inform public opinion, both national and international, of the opening of a public trial against “Corneille NANGAA and his accomplices, from this Wednesday July 24, 2024, before the Military Court of Gombe ”
Uganda is hosting peace talks between the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and an alliance of rebel groups including the M23 militia, a Ugandan official said on Monday.
While the negotiations were confirmed by a source within M23, Kinshasa said no-one had been mandated by the government to hold any discussions with "terrorist" groups.
The M23, which had lain dormant for about a decade, launched an offensive in North Kivu province in eastern DRC at the end of 2021 and since then has seized large swathes of territory.
The conflict in the mineral-rich region has killed scores of people and displaced several million more.
But the situation has been relatively calm since a 15-day extension of a humanitarian truce between M23 rebels and government forces was announced last week.
"A high-level delegation from the DRC government and M23/AFC are meeting in Kampala to bring peace in DRC," an official in the office of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni told AFP.
The creation of the AFC, or Alliance Fleuve Congo, grouping several rebel outfits was announced in December by Corneille Nangaa, the former head of the DRC's election commission, who is living in exile in Kenya.
The Ugandan official said Museveni will also take part in the negotiations along with Kenya's former president Uhuru Kenyatta, who has been mediating in the conflict on behalf of the East African Community.
Both Kenya and Angola have been involved in mediating peace talks between the warring parties in the past.
"Given the complexities involved, this is still a secret meeting but the details will be made public later," the official told AFP on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media.
"Our wish is to have a permanent ceasefire and peace returning to DRC."
A source within the M23 confirmed the talks but said they had not yet started.
"All I know, they were called to Kampala, nothing else," the source told AFP in Goma, also speaking on condition of anonymity.
But DRC Communications Minister and government spokesman Patrick Muyaya said on X: "No-one has been mandated by the government for any such discussion with the terrorists of the RDF (Rwanda Defence Force) or M23 in Kampala."
Jean Bosco Bahala, coordinator of the Disarmament, Demobilisation, Community Recovery and Stabilisation Programme (P-DDRCS) in the DRC, said he was currently in Kampala but also denied any talks were going on with M23.
"The thing about any negotiation with the M23 is false," he told AFP in Goma.
"The P-DDRCS is in discussions with Uganda for the repatriation of Congolese children released by the LRA in the Central African Republic, that's all," he said.
He was referring to the Lord's Resistance Army, which launched a bloody rebellion against Museveni in 1986, killing more than 100,000 people and abducting 60,000 children in a decades-long reign of terror that spread to Sudan, the DRC and the Central African Republic.
Last week, Kinshasa summoned Uganda's charge d'affaires following a experts' report commissioned by the UN Security Council that said Kampala was giving "active support" to the M23.
Uganda's deputy defence spokesman Deo Akiiki has described the allegations as "laughable, baseless and illogical".
The experts' report also said 3,000 to 4,000 Rwandan soldiers had been fighting alongside the M23 rebels in the mineral-rich east and that Kigali had "de facto control" of the group's operations.
The rebels, fleeing military pressure in the chiefdom of Walesse Vonkutu, are trying to resettle in the neighbouring territory of Mambasa. On Friday, a group of ADF was seen by the population crossing the Lolwa-Mungamba road around 5pm, causing a massive displacement of residents from several villages in the area.
Agricultural activities are almost completely paralyzed, with residents fearing ambushes by the rebels. The NGO Convention for the Respect of Human Rights expresses its deep concern about this advance of the ADF away from the borders with Uganda and towards the interior of the country, leading to incessant displacement of the population.
The NGO calls on the government to deploy the army to counter this armed group before it reaches Mambasa and to implement all necessary means to dismantle them.
"We must review the agreements signed with Uganda concerning these joint FARDC-UPDF operations. It is also essential to find ways to stop the ADF and reorganize our army in order to put an end to this war imposed by the rebels," said Christophe Munyanderu, coordinator of the NGO Convention for the Respect of Human Rights.
In disarray, the ADF rebels are now operating in small groups in various localities in the Irumu and Mambasa territories, further complicating the security situation in the region.
AS claims to have killed 71 soldiers, captured prisoners in today's attacks against SNA9somali national army) and Jubaland forces. it also seizes weapons and military vehicles.
Meanwhile, Somali govt claim their forces repulsed the militant attacks, killing dozens of them.
BELOW IS THE OFFICIAL LETTER FROM THE ALSHABAAB CLAIMING TO HAVE KILLED 71 GORVENMENT SOLDIERS.
Even without direct evidence of weapon exchanges, the possibility of these two groups collaborating is alarming. Al-Shabaab aims to establish jihadist rule in Somalia, while the Houthis, a Zaydi Shia rebel group backed by Iran, are engaged in a conflict against the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. Despite their sectarian differences, pragmatic cooperation, reminiscent of past Iranian support for Al Qaeda, could benefit both groups strategically.
Yemen’s local Al Qaeda branch, AQAP, has historically fought against the Houthis, denouncing them as infidels. However, some analysts and Southern Transitional Council (STC)-affiliated officials claimed last year that the Houthis provided AQAP with attack drones. If true, extending this cooperation to include Al-Shabaab would not be surprising, considering the long-standing ties and cooperation between these Al Qaeda affiliates. This potential alliance could see the Houthis providing limited military support to AQAP to weaken the Emirati-backed STC in southern Yemen.
Should a deal between the Houthis and Al-Shabaab materialize, it could signify a new Houthi strategy to expand relationships with other militant groups, fueling their campaign to disrupt global shipping operations. This campaign has already impacted sixty-five countries and forced twenty-nine major energy and shipping companies to alter their routes. The urgency of this threat was underscored when the Houthis launched a missile and drone strike on a Greek-owned coal carrier, leading to the vessel’s eventual sinking.
For the Houthis, such an agreement would provide critical capital for recruitment and military activities, especially as the U.S. and its allies tighten financial restrictions on the group. Al-Shabaab, generating over $100 million annually through extortion, taxes, road tolls, illicit trade, and investments, can afford to pay for advanced weaponry. Despite international sanctions targeting their leaders and financiers, Al-Shabaab’s extensive business entities and ability to launder funds through gold purchases and limited oversight of the Somali financial sector have made them resilient.
Houthi Weapons Aid to Al-Shabaab Could Amplify Somali Terror Attacks
However, cooperation with Al-Shabaab could backfire for the Houthis, who have gained significant support domestically and internationally due to their maritime attacks being perceived as supportive of Palestinians in Gaza. Aligning with a Sunni jihadist group might ignite discontent in Houthi-controlled areas, where mismanagement, delayed civilian salaries, and widespread repression have already caused unrest. Partnering with an Al Qaeda affiliate could also undermine the Houthis’ legitimacy, potentially alienating other Arab countries and international supporters, especially ahead of a potential peace agreement with Saudi Arabia.
In summary, the potential Houthi-Al-Shabaab deal highlights the adaptability of these groups in evading sanctions and offensive operations. The international community, particularly maritime coalitions like the U.S.-led Operation Prosperity Guardian and EUNAVFOR Aspides, must now also monitor ships from Houthi-controlled ports to prevent the transfer of weaponry. Additionally, the U.S. should support the Somali federal government in tightening regulatory oversight of the banking system to prevent Al-Shabaab from funding such deals. Enhanced monitoring, seizing bank accounts, closing electronic banking facilities, and targeting safe houses and international gold markets are essential measures to curb the flow of funds to terrorist organizations.
Somali authorities in Jubaland have reported that federal and regional forces have repulsed three separate, coordinated attacks by al-Shabaab militants on three newly captured areas west and south of Kismayo.The al-Qaeda-affiliated terror group initiated the attack with explosions, followed by heavy fighting between the group and government forces, supported by the Jubbaland Dervishes and local clan militia in the Harboole area near Afmadow district.
"This morning, the heroes of the National Army foiled a cowardly attack that the Khawarij tried to carry out in the Harboole area of Afmadow District in Lower Jubba. The Khawarij suffered heavy losses, and the national heroes are still chasing the militants who fled into the forest," a Somali government statement said.
The attack comes a day after at least five al-Shabab militants were killed when their vehicle ran over a landmine between Gududey and Buka Ba'ad areas in the Middle Jubba region. The vehicle was also carrying IED explosives, and the car was completely burned.
Early on Monday Al-Shabaab militants have attacked Harbole and the nearby Mido village west of Kismayo which were captured 12 days ago. The militants have also attacked Bulo Haji town base, about 90km south of Kismayo. Officials say said troops have defeated the militants in all three battles.
Purported photos of dead al-Shabaab militants and weapons seized by the government forces are being published by social media accounts.
Reports from sources say that the Minister of religious affairs for Jubaland Mohamed Omar Yusuf “Abu Yusuf” has been injured from a roadside explosion while on his way to Bulo Haji accompanying reinforcements following today’s al-Shabaab attack.
The al-Shabaab militants on their side confirmed the three raids and have claimed “overrunning” the bases.Alshabab claims that Today's assault overwhelmed US capabilities at Kismaayo base for reconnaissance and strikes against Alshabaab offensive. Coordinated from at least 6 directions, it marks Alshabaab's largest assault in the ongoing 3-year war in Somalia.
Alshabaab also claims that today's assault dealt a heavy blow to the Liyuu police mercenaries, with over a hundred casualties reported and many captured as POW. Tough day for liyuu police.
LET US TEAM UP TO FIGHT TERRORISM
.................FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY......................
