Wazalendo hands over 16 captured South Sudanese elements to MONUSCO

16 South Sudanese elements who had been captured by the Wazalendo in Rutshuru territory were handed over to MONUSCO this Tuesday 27/8/2024. So tired and hungry, they spent 4 months in the bush with the wazalendo.

The important question to ask is how did South Sudanese find themselves within the M-23 but in Rwandan uniforms when not long ago, last June, the Sudanese President was in Kinshasa to reassure his Congolese counterpart, before initiating a face-to-face meeting between a Congolese and Rwandan delegation in Zanzibar? 

ACCORDING TO INVESTIGATIVE SURVEY FROM THE POPULATION,THESE WERE CONGOLESE COMPLAINTS !!

Why did Felix TSHISEKEDI bring the DRC into the EAC? 

He must answer us on this question because all the problems come from there 

Yesterday the Kenya Defense Forces were in the DRC as part of the EAC, today they are returning as part of MONUSCO. 

The Wazalendo are wondering how South Sudanese forces who were in the DRC as part of the EAC, today they are within the M23. 

They say that Tshisekedi  has opened the door to all adventurers to discover the splendor of the beauty of the DRC, all EAC states are sending their troops to the DRC now and not for Peace but for destabilization. 

They complain that Burundi, Uganda, the RDF, Kenya, Tanzania, and South Sudan are all in the DRC, each depending on which side they believe guarantees their interests. 

FARDC and UPDF presents and sets flee the 49 people who had been taken hostage by ADF

 

Joseph Kabila's football team implicated in recruiting for M23!

Papy Tamba was arrested on accusations of Responsiblity for Recruiting Young People by Kabila for the Congo River Alliance and the M23 in the Football Team of Joseph Kabila and Olive Lembe FC TP CROYANT

Several young recruits are interned in one place and then transferred to an African country to follow training under the cover of a football transfer to hide any suspicion from the intelligence services!

These Recruitment Cells for the M23 and the Congo River Alliance are scattered throughout the country in the form of youth football, after which the young people are interned in some places and transferred to an African country (Congo Brazza, Tanzania, ...) to follow military training under the cover of a Transfer to a Football Team in an African Country so as not to attract the Intelligence services 

The intelligence believes that several young people from Joseph Kabila FC CROYANT's football team have already been transferred to different African countries under the pretext of a transfer from a football team.

M23 clashes with Wazalendo along Tongo-lushege axis,M23 reported to be making heavy reinforcements in kibumba.

 

This Tuesday the WAZALENDO claim t have  inflicted  heavy toll on the M23 in Tongo - Lushege.

The young WAZALENDO resistance fighters from the CMC/FDP group inflicted a heavy toll on the coalition of M23 invaders, thus cutting off their expansionist appetite in Tongo_ Lushege in the territory of Rutshuru, in the chiefdom of Bwito. The inhabitants of this region are once again happy to see their sons VDP Wazalendo in the area.This information is confirmed by Héritier Gashegu, the spokesperson of CMC/FDP

According to reports , Jean-Claude Bambaze, president of civil society in the territory of Rutshuru, in the province of North Kivu, accused the M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda, of non-compliance with the ceasefire decreed as part of the Luanda process.

According to this civil society actor, these rebels continue to strengthen their positions around the city of Goma and the strategic city of Saké. According to him, nearly 10 trucks containing armed elements arrived in the Kibumba axis, in Nyiragongo territory.

“The M23/RDF rebels are not respecting the ceasefire, as required by the Luanda agreement. They continue to strengthen their positions around the strategic city of Saké and the city of Goma with the sole objective of balkanizing our country. During the night from Monday to Tuesday, nearly 10 trucks from Rwanda with lots of armed elements inside arrived in the Kibumba axis,” he said.

Jean-Claude Bambaze calls on the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo to take appropriate measures to prevent any unpleasant surprises from these rebels who respect nothing.

Yesterday Monday, in a press release, the army of the Democratic Republic of Congo accused these rebels, supported by the regime of Paul Kagame, of violating the ceasefire and manipulating public opinion

Is M23 arresting refugees who are returning home?

 

There are reports that young people returning  to areas occupied by the M23 are being arrested and missing. The families of the victims are worried. 

After the occupation of houses by unknown individuals in Masisi territory, several local sources claim that young people returning to these areas are arrested and taken to a secret location.

“Since the beginning of this month, more than 45 young people who returned to Kitshanga have been arrested, we don’t even know where they were taken, no one here talks about it for fear of suffering the same fate,” confides a resident of the city. from Kitshanga.

"There is a certain Bishop Bahani, he is known because he was the goalkeeper of the FC Muungano football team who was recently arrested upon his arrival in Kitshanga. He has joined the long list of others, we are very worried because we do not know if they are still alive or they are dead. They are accused of being spies and collaborators of FDLR,” said another local source. 

 This wave of arrests of young people in the Bashali chiefdom, in Kitshanga, has been denounced by several anonymous sources. These arrests, attributed to the M23 rebels, mainly target young people returning to this region for family reasons. These young people would be accused, without evidence, of being spies or members of Wazalendo resistance groups.  One of the latest cases reported is that of Mr. Bishop Bahani, a former goalkeeper of the Muungano FC football team in Kitshanga. Having fled the clashes in 2023, Bishop Bahani settled in Goma, where he worked as a security guard in a school. Last Tuesday, as he returned to visit his family back in Kitshanga, he was immediately arrested and thrown in prison by the M23-RDF rebels.  Bishop Bahani, like so many other young people, was arbitrarily arrested upon his arrival in Kitshanga. They are detained illegally, and no one dares to talk about it for fear of reprisals,” says one of our sources who requested anonymity. She reports that some of these young people are then transferred to Bwiza, in the Rutshuru territory, where the conditions of detention remain unknown.  She urges the Congolese authorities and human rights organizations to intervene for the release of these young people, whose detention is considered illegal and arbitrary. The movement highlights the urgency of action to put an end to these human rights violations which sow fear and terror among people.

Another source specifies that these young people are taken to the village of Bwiza, but the conditions of their detention are unknown because family members have no access.

ADF attacks Bahana kills people and does damage to health facilities in Bahana

The attacked village is located in the Babila Bakwanza chiefdom in the Mambasa territory on national road number 4.

Provisional assessment: 4 people killed, including a soldier of the Armed Forces of the DRC and his weapon taken away. A reason for regret for human rights activist John Vuleveryo Musombolwa who draws the particular attention of the competent authorities.

These enemies targeted this entity located on the Komanda-Mambasa section around 5 a.m. local time. Medical sources in the Lolwa health zone confirm the fire at the Bahaha health center and the kidnapping of the head nurse of this health structure.

The medicines were either destroyed, taken away or set on fire. “what face will the capital show? How are we going to live with the population”, asks the chief of the chiefdom Babila Bakwanza who pleads for “more efforts” on the security level.

In search of medicine!

Just recently, the regular army inflicted a huge loss on these rebels in the region. The administrator of the Mambasa territory justifies this attack by the concern of these rebels to stock up on medicines to treat the wounded in their ranks.

A hypothesis which is confirmed by the kidnapping of the head nurse at the Bahaha health center. In regret, the senior chief commissioner Jean Baptiste Muyapandi speaks of 13 houses and 7 motorcycles burned.

Start of school threatened in Bahaha

Basically cruel on the Komanda-Luna section, the ADF have also been causing violence for several years now on the Komanda-Mambasa section.

This Monday's attack provokes a movement in both directions. President of the Youth Parliament in Babila Bakwanza, Djimy Soli puts forward a death toll of five. He invites the commander of the 31st main defense brigade based in Mambasa to intensify patrols in depth to annihilate the enemy as the start of the school year approaches.

Mandela national stadium and St Marys Kirenda stadium are the only two accredited and certified stadiums by CAF

 

Rwandan head of Police IGP Namuhoranye receives his Liberian counterpart at Police headquarters in Kacyiru

This monday, the head  of Rwanda police , CG Felix Namuhoranye, received IGP Gregory O. W. COLEMAN, head of  Liberian police at Rwandan police headquarters in Kacyiru.They held talks over establishing cooperation between the two forces.  

IGP Gregory O. W. COLEMAN and his group are in Rwanda for a four day visit meant to to build cooperation between the police forces of Liberia and Rwanda.

August 1st – August 24th, 2024: Tracking and Monitoring Al-Shabaab’s Activity in East Africa

Executive Summary

In August 2024, Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda affiliated terrorist group, executed a series of attacks in Kenya and Somalia, showcasing a range of operational tactics and targeting strategies. During the first week of the month, from August 1 to August 8, Al-Shabaab carried out 16 attacks. The second week, spanning from August 8 to August 15, saw 17 attacks.

The first week of August  was marked by several high-casualty operations. On August 2, Al-Shabaab executed a double-tap suicide bombing and armed assault at Lido Beach, Mogadishu, resulting in over 20 fatalities and numerous injuries. Additionally, on the same day, they targeted a government checkpoint in Bafow, Lower Shabelle, which led to injuries among three Somali soldiers. The group’s tactics included IED attacks and direct assaults, highlighting their reliance on explosives and ambush strategies to inflict significant damage.

In the second week, Al-Shabaab’s activities remained intense but exhibited a slight shift in focus. Notable incidents on August 13 included a roadside explosion near Kamboni that targeted a convoy of Kenyan soldiers, causing casualties. The group also conducted multiple coordinated assaults on military bases, targeting both Kenyan and Ugandan forces. Additionally, Al-Shabaab carried out a suicide bombing operation against SNA troops near Shabelle University on August 9, which resulted in the deaths of two government soldiers and injuries to another.

The comparison between the two weeks reveals that the first week featured a broader range of attacks, including high-casualty suicide bombings and assaults on both military and civilian targets. In contrast, the second week concentrated more on targeted military operations, including IEDs and suicide bombings. This shift indicates a possible focus on disrupting military operations and targeting security forces more directly in the latter part of the month.

Al-Shabaab’s operational methods prominently include the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and suicide bombings. These tactics were prevalent in both weeks, demonstrating the group’s strategic preference for explosive devices to maximize impact. Alongside these methods, armed assaults were employed, reflecting their direct engagement approach with targeted attacks on military positions.

The Northeastern region of Kenya, particularly Mandera County, has been frequently targeted, with multiple attacks on military bases and personnel. In Somalia, regions such as Lower Shabelle and Gedo provinces, including major urban areas like Mogadishu, have experienced repeated high-risk attacks. The concentration of Al-Shabaab’s efforts in these areas underscores their strategic significance and the ongoing challenge posed to security forces operating within these regions.

Terrorism Events:

Week 1- August 1st – August 8th

August 8, 2024 – Al-Shabaab executed a double-tap Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack followed by an armed assault targeting Somali and Ugandan forces between Janale and Bofo, Lower Shabelle, Somalia.

August 8, 2024 – Al-Shabaab raided a Kenyan Forces base in Lafi, Mandera, Northeastern Kenya, resulting in the death of one soldier.

August 7, 2024 – Al-Shabaab claims five Somali government forces surrendered after being ambushed in Hiran, Somalia.

August 7, 2024 – Al-Shabaab militants raided a Ugandan military base in Janale, Southern Somalia. Several were killed and injured.

August 7, 2024 – In a planned operation in the Bulo-Jameo area of Baydhaba city, Bay region, Al-Shabaab forces killed a number of SNA troops in the area.

August 6, 2024 – Al-Shabaab eliminated a Somali forces member and seized his weapon in Baidoa City, Bay, Southwestern Somalia.

August 6, 2024 – Al-Shabaab forces attacked ATMIS-Ethiopian forces’ base in Dinsoor district and a base of SNA troops in Goof-gaduud Buurey, near Baydhaba.

August 6, 2024 – Al-Shabaab forces launched a heavy attack on apostate militias in the Beledhawo district of Gedo province.

August 6, 2024 – Al-Shabaab launched a heavy attack on a Kenyan forces camp in the Dhamase area, Mandera region.

August 6, 2024 – Al-Shabaab killed and injured several Somali forces in an IED attack on their foot patrol in Bardere City, Gedo, Southwestern Somalia.

August 5, 2024 – Clashes between Al-Shabaab militants and security forces broke out in Ceelasha Biyaha, near Mogadishu, Lower Shabelle, Somalia.

August 5, 2024 – Al-Shabaab militants targeted a military vehicle transporting fuel for the National Army with an IED in Garasbaaleey, Mogadishu, Somalia.

August 4, 2024 – Al-Shabaab Mujahideen forces killed an apostate wanted by the group at the entrance to Hudur district, Bakool province, Somalia.

August 3, 2024 – A landmine explosion hit a civilian vehicle in Gololeey, Balcad District, traveling from Jowhar to Mogadishu. Eight people were aboard; only one survived.

August 2, 2024 – Al-Shabaab conducted a double-tap suicide bombing and armed assault on a restaurant and a hotel in Lido Beach, Mogadishu, Somalia, resulting in more than 20 dead and several injured.

August 2, 2024 – Al-Shabaab fighters carried out a heavy bombing operation targeting a government security checkpoint in Bafow, Lower Shabelle, injuring three Somali government soldiers.

Week 2: August 8th – August 15th.

August 15, 2024: Suspected Al-Shabaab militants abducted South Korean missionaries operating in Kenya near the Ethiopian border.

August 15, 2024: Al-Shabaab’s explosives unit executed an IED attack targeting Kenyan security forces in the El-Ramo area of Mandera County, Northern Frontier District (NFD).

August 14, 2024: Al-Shabaab militants conducted an explosion in Beled Hawo town, Gedo region, targeting a checkpoint manned by Somali National Army (SNA) forces, resulting in one soldier being injured.

August 14, 2024: Al-Shabaab launched a coordinated assault on the Baraxow camp controlled by SNA troops in Bardhere town, Gedo region.

August 13, 2024: Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for a roadside explosion that struck a convoy of Kenyan soldiers near Kamboni in Lamu County, destroying a military vehicle and resulting in casualties among the soldiers onboard.

August 13, 2024: Al-Shabaab reported a heavy assault on Ethiopian troops and Somali government forces in the Hiran region, with direct attacks on military bases in Halgan and Buulaburte.

August 13, 2024: Al-Shabaab assassinated a Kenyan Forces officer in Nani, Garissa, Kenya, as part of their ongoing campaign against high-ranking governmental and military personnel.

August 13, 2024: Al-Shabaab militants claimed to have overrun a military base in Ilbaq, near Balcad, killing several government soldiers and capturing military ammunition. The Somali government has yet to respond to the attack.

August 13, 2024: Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for attacking Somali soldiers on foot near Balcad, Middle Shabelle.

August 11, 2024: Al-Shabaab’s explosive brigade in the Hiran region conducted two planned explosions at a control point held by Somali government troops in Jalalaqsi, resulting in the deaths of three SNA soldiers and injuries to four others.

August 10, 2024: Al-Shabaab forces carried out coordinated assaults on ATMIS-Ugandan troops in No/60 and on SNA troops in Awdheegle and Janale districts, Lower Shabelle.

August 9, 2024: Al-Shabaab militants in Banaadir conducted a bomb attack targeting Somali government troops, including intelligence agents (NISA) and military police, stationed at the Ceelasha-Biyaha junction on the outskirts of Mogadishu.

August 9, 2024: Suspected Al-Shabaab assassins killed a government soldier at the Isgooska Xoosh intersection in Mogadishu’s Dharkeynely district. The attackers reportedly fled the scene.

August 9, 2024: Al-Shabaab executed a double-tap IED and armed assault targeting Somali and Ugandan forces between Janale and Bofo in Lower Shabelle.

August 9, 2024: Al-Shabaab raided a Kenyan Forces base in Lafi, Mandera, Northeastern Kenya, resulting in the death of one soldier. The group continues operations against Kenyan and Somali forces.

August 9, 2024: Al-Shabaab carried out a suicide bombing operation targeting SNA troops near Shabelle University on the outskirts of Mogadishu, killing two government soldiers and injuring another member of the Riddada.

August 8, 2024: A bomb attack claimed by Al-Shabaab militants near Shabelle University on the outskirts of Mogadishu resulted in the deaths of two Somali government soldiers and injuries to one other.

Al-Shabaab militants claimed to have overrun a military base in Ilbaq, near Balcad, Middle Shabelle.

Analysis, Observation & Insights.

Al-Shabaab’s media wing, Al-Kataib Foundation continue to plays a significant role in amplifying the group’s perceived successes. By releasing carefully curated images and videos of their attacks, such as those from the latest assault on the Ilbaq military base, Al-Shabaab aims to project an image of dominance and operational success. This propaganda is designed to boost morale within the group, attract new recruits, and present a façade of invincibility. The exaggerated portrayal of their victories serves to obscure the group’s setbacks and challenges, creating a distorted view of their overall effectiveness.

This propaganda serves to bolster the group’s image and attract new recruits by presenting themselves as a victorious and unstoppable force. The exaggerated portrayal of their operations is designed to appeal to potential members, particularly those disillusioned with the status quo or looking for a sense of purpose. By amplifying their successes, Al-Shabaab aims to boost morale among its ranks and persuade individuals to join their cause. In reality, these narratives often obscure the group’s setbacks and challenges, creating a distorted view of their capabilities and influence.

Looking forward, it is anticipated that Al-Shabaab will continue to rely on IEDs and armed assaults while potentially increasing the complexity of their attacks. The group’s focus may shift towards targeting critical infrastructure to further isolate regions and disrupt military movements. As Al-Shabaab adapts to counterterrorism efforts, security forces in Kenya and Somalia will need to enhance their intelligence capabilities and improve coordination to counter these evolving threats effectively. The ongoing threat posed by Al-Shabaab highlights the need for vigilant and adaptive security measures in the region.

Overall, Al-Shabaab’s activities in the first two weeks of August 2024 highlight their continued operational capability and adaptability. The group’s use of IEDs, suicide bombings, and armed assaults demonstrates a persistent effort to undermine security forces and create instability in key regions of Kenya and Somalia.

 

Frontline report!

 Different front lines in the Lubero territory woke up after intense fighting yesterday, Sunday, August 25, in the village of KIKUVO.  The same situation is observed in the different areas of Masisi, local sources indicate. The Congolese government strongly condemns the attempts of the M23/RDF to manipulate public opinion with false allegations concerning the activities of the FARDC. Despite their accusations, no FARDC aircraft flew over the North Kivu region due to unfavorable weather conditions. Their recent offensive in Kikuvo constitutes a blatant violation of the Luanda ceasefire agreement. The FARDC will report these violations to the relevant verification mechanisms, in order to ensure accountability for these acts of aggression. 

 

This Monday, August 26, 2024, in the Majengo district, near the market known as Ki 30 in the commune of Karisimbi, a man in uniform opened fire, killing at least two people and seriously injuring another, during an altercation with resemblance to the robbery. According to testimonies collected, the argument broke out around 11 a.m. between the armed man and a money changer, before setting the entire area ablaze.  The young people, having seized the situation, expressed the wish to stone the author of this crime. This therefore explains the shots heard in this part of the city of Goma in these late morning hours. The perpetrator of the shooting directly apprehended was sent to the Bukumu chieftaincy office where the trial of his colleagues responsible for the recent violence in Turunga