Alert!Rumours of the Presence of ADF in Lubero

Information about the presence of ADF terrorists is circulating on the web.FARDC's Lieutenant Hazukay, responsible for communication and awareness of the operational sector, calls on the population to be vigilant and cautious.

“We ask the population to contact security services or soldiers deployed in the area discreetly in order to verify these alerts,” Hazukay said.

"Some alerts are invented by thieves of rural products, notably cocoa, to prevent farmers from accessing their fields. "As the ADF-MTM terrorists are not definitively defeated, we reiterate our appeal to the population to double vigilance,” added Lieutenant-Colonel Mak Hazukay.

After the visit of President Felix Tshisekedi, the Rwandan journalist requested an interview with the spokesperson of the Ugandan army. Here is their conversation:

Scovia interviewing Updf's spokesperson

1:04 -1:12

Journalist: How are you going to build roads in areas occupied by M23?

Response - The M23 is not in the area where we are going to build. But wherever we are, if they prevent us from working, watch out.

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1:22- min 1:28

Journalist: The M23 continue to fight and advance, what will you do if they arrive in your area?

Response: If they attack us, we will counterattack and show them who we are

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4:04 -4:28

Journalist:

The fact that it is civilians who will build roads and that the Ugandan armed forces are responsible for their security.

Is this not an admission by the DRC that there is no peace in these localities? The fact that their own police and military forces cannot ensure their security on their own territory?

General: Why are you asking me a question you know the answer to?

Journalist: I assure you I don't have the answer.

General: it goes without saying that if we are in the DRC, it is precisely because there is insecurity.

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4:30- 6:27

Journalist: It is said that even if you have this military cooperation with the DRC to fight the Ugandan terrorists who are there, you are there mainly to plunder their minerals that you exploit and that is the main reason that pushes you to want to build these roads. These roads help you to be able to bring the minerals back to Uganda more easily.

General: I think you're not going to be able to handle the answer I'm going to give you. I'd rather not answer you, so let's move on.

Journalist: Answer me anyway, I will show restraint whatever the answer.

General: Those who go to Congo to plunder, the wealth of their country changes overnight and is visible to everyone.

Journalist: Uganda's wealth is not visible to everyone so why are you not looting?

General: The wealth of our country is proportional to the size of our country and our economy. That is why even the Congolese people ask some to leave their country and others not. It is because they realize that we are not looters.

Journalist: Who are these others that we do not chase away? There is SADEC, Tanzania, etc.

General: I am the spokesperson for the Ugandan army, I do not speak for others.

Journalist: Why do you say that the DRC sees you in a good light unlike the others?

General: Yes, because they are asking us to stay. Because they see that we are not exploiting their minerals. Because these minerals belong to the Congolese people who must sell them and profit from them, they are not there to be plundered and benefit from foreign economies.

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Min 8:30

Journalist: We heard about an M23 agent who was recruiting in a camp located in Uganda and which is populated by Congolese.

General: Let me ask you, it is also said that Rwanda supports the M23, and yet I did not tell you about it. Rwanda denies being on Congolese soil and we admitted it as true.

Kasindi under threat!Let this banditry and lawlessness not cross to our side! More patrols needed .

 The Kasindi-Lubiriha border post, located 90 kilometres from the town of Beni (North Kivu), has been facing a rise in insecurity in recent weeks. To deal with this, the civil society of the Basongora group recommends that the provincial government strengthen the military and police personnel in this city.

Entire neighborhoods live under constant threat from armed robbers and burglars in Kasindi-Lubiriha.

« In the space of ten days, more than ten civilians were injured and forty houses were visited, or four houses per day in almost all areas of Kasindi says Kino Kathuo, the vice-president of the local civil society.

According to him, the power of these bandits exceeds the number and means of our elements of order.

While also welcoming the efforts made in recent times by the security forces to put an end to this insecurity, Kino Kathuo calls for more:

"We demand a closure without exception, as well as the identification of all houses of tolerance and sale of hemp. We are also calling for the reinforcement of military, police and mobile equipment by the provincial government. Enough is enough! We are tired of this urban banditry."

Last October, the Federation of Congo Enterprises (FEC) of Kasindi-Lubiriha denounced the upsurge in insecurity in this rural commune in Beni territory.

According to her, this situation is linked to the relocation of the fish market from Kasindi-Lubiriha to neighbouring Uganda, thus depriving many young people of their jobs.

M23 gains control over Kamandi-Gite a key point to the full control over routes accross Lake edward

 The enclave of Kamandi-Gite, located on the west coast of Lake Edward in the chiefdom of the Batangi, Lubero territory, has been under occupation by M23 rebels since Sunday, November 3.

The rebels launched their offensive in the early hours of the morning from Kirumba, a town located about twenty kilometers from Kamandi-Gite.

It was around 3 a.m. that the M23 rebels, invaded the locality of Kamadi-Gite. Heavily armed, they simultaneously attacked all the positions of the Wazalendo fighters who once controlled this area.

According to confidant  sources in the territory of Lubero, the capture of the strategic city of Kamadi-Gite offers several opportunities to the rebels to have access to the entire southern part of the territory of Lubero and especially to the entire southwest coast of Lake Edward, which joins the territory of Rutshuru.

According to several sources in the two neighbouring territories, these clashes have once again thrown thousands of people, already weakened by the horrors of war, on the path of exile to take shelter from the hostilities.

The Wazalendo retreated to the neighbouring hills. The local population thought that a counter-attack by these local fighters was probably being prepared.

This attack comes two days after the one carried out by the Wazalendo around the city of Kirumba.

The Wazalendo and the M23 rebels regularly clash in this area, where the security situation remains fragile.

The M23's occupation of Kamandi Gîte and Vitshumbi in Lubero territory allows the rebels to exert influence over the control of traffic on Lake Edward and offers them the possibility of collecting illegal taxes on tens of thousands of fishermen.

In fact, the M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda, have been occupying since Sunday, November 3, the locality of Kamandi Gîte, located on the shores of Lake Edward, 10 km from Kanyabayonga, in the territory of Lubero. This locality is of strategic and economic importance.

Kamandi Gîte is a lake access point that connects several villages located on the shores of Lake Edward, including the locality of Kyavinyonge, in the territory of Beni. From Kamandi Gîte, it is possible to reach the locality of Kasindi-Port, thus offering a passage to the strategic border of Kasindi-Lubiriha.

This point also provides access to Kyondo and the centre of Lubero, passing through Bukununu, Mubana, Kipese and Masereka, to reach the Graben region in Beni territory.

The M23 rebels have opened a new front in Walikale territory and continue to advance in Lubero territory, despite progress in the Luanda peace process.

Experts from the DRC and Rwanda have agreed on a plan to disengage forces and neutralize the FDLR, an agreement that still requires the validation of the foreign ministers of the two countries at the next meeting scheduled for November 16 in Luanda.

will Mogadishu afford a full scale war with Ethiopia? Will the African Union allow this war?

Mogadishu regime paraded a cache of weapons, which the Minister of Defense explicitly stated  were purchased to fight with Ethiopia. 

This display followed recent defense agreement between Mogadishu and Egypt, which has emboldened the regime to renew its irredentist and territorial claims against Ethiopia. 

Mogadishu claims ownership of Ethiopia’s entire Somali Region (Region 5), an ambition that dates back to Somalia’s 1977 invasion under a former dictator. That war ultimately led to Somalia’s collapse. 

 The current Hawiye regime in Mogadishu appears intent on reviving these irredentist, ethno-nationalist and expansionist aspirations once more.

Abu Ubayda ,the leader of Alshababab delivered a speech where he condemned the claimed plundering of Somalia's RESOURCES

Abu Ubayda leader of AS strongly condemned the plundering of Somalia's resources and territory by Ethiopians in a newly released 44min speech.

YOU CAN WATCH THE SNIPPETS OF VIDEOS BELOW

UPDF and FARDC free over 100 who had been held hostages by ADF

The joint FARDC-UPDF forces, engaged in the hunt for Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri, freed 117 hostages in the depths of the Mont Hoyo forest in the Walese-Vonkutu chiefdom in the south of the Irumu territory (Ituri), on the night of Wednesday 30 to Thursday 31 October 2024.

Our intelligence  sources confirm that among the freed hostages are 88 men, 25 women and 4 children who managed to escape during the bombing of the positions of these jihadists in the forest of Mont Hoyo, about ten kilometers south-east of Komanda center.

These hostages traveled more than 10 kilometers and spent the night in the Kipeyayo district located south of Komanda, before being recovered this Thursday, October 31, in the morning hours, by the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) for questioning and identification.

These people were captured in the recent attacks, which targeted several villages in the chiefdom of Walese-Vonkutu and the neighboring territory of Mambasa on the RN4 before crossing the Ituri River, passing through the village of Mungamba, the same sources confirm.

The civil society of the Irumu territory, which also confirms the news, congratulates the bravery of the pooled forces and calls on them to intensify their operations in towns plagued by insecurity.

"We salute the bravery of the FARDC-UPDF joint forces who presented the expected result. We ask them not to stop patrols and lies in areas where the enemy roams here and there," pleaded Pascal Kisezo, coordinator of the said citizen structure.

It should be recalled that the FARDC-UPDF joint forces launched artillery against the ADF rebel positions, located in the Mont Hoyo forest, since 8 p.m. local time on Wednesday, October 30, 2024. This, after the new attack by these rebels reported in the villages of Bambuo and Bukoko, causing 3 deaths and the burning of at least 15 huts.

Operation SHUJAA:UPDF and FARDC disarm and neutralize Kabido's men in Lukobati

According to military intelligence sources,14 combatants of the armed group belonging to KABIDO, were disarmed by the FARDC and UPDF soldiers during a reconnaissance patrol in LUKOBATI northwest of BEU-MANYAMA near the ITURI river.

Will the Tejas Jet bring hope to people from North Kivu

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s air force (FAC) is actively seeking to modernize its fleet, and India has become a focal point in their quest for advanced military aircraft. In August, a high-profile delegation from the FAC visited New Delhi to engage in discussions about the potential acquisition of the Tejas Mk1 multi-role aircraft. This visit marks a significant step in DR Congo’s efforts to replace its ageing fleet of Soviet-origin aircraft, including the Sukhoi Su-25s FrogFoot.

The Congolese air force chief, alongside other defence officials, held extensive talks with representatives from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), including notable aviation engineer Kota Harinarayana. The discussions centered around the performance and capabilities of the Tejas Mk1, and its potential to serve as a long-term replacement for the FAC’s existing Sukhoi Su-25s.

The FAC currently operates a diverse array of aircraft, including the Sukhoi Su-25, MiG-23, and Mil Mi-24 helicopters. The introduction of the Tejas Mk1 would represent a significant upgrade, bringing in more advanced technology and enhanced combat capabilities. This shift is seen as crucial for DR Congo to maintain a robust and modern air force capable of addressing contemporary security challenges.

The security situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is volatile. Conflict between government forces and armed groups in the east is ongoing.

Furthermore, according to the United Nations, Uganda is backing M23 rebels fighting across its border in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The UN also warns that a rapidly escalating crisis “carried the risk of triggering a wider regional conflict”.

The Rwandan army is supporting M23 rebels in eastern DR Congo, using sophisticated weapons such as surface-to-air missiles. In January last year, Rwanda’s defense force shot at a Democratic Republic of Congo Sukhoi Su-25 ground attack jet with man portable air defence weapon (MANPAD) that allegedly violated its airspace, as tensions between the neighboring countries escalate.

India’s Role in the Arms Trade

India has been making concerted efforts to expand its footprint in the global arms trade, aiming to compete with established players like Russia and China. By focusing on the African market, India hopes to provide cost-effective and reliable defence solutions to countries that may find Western-made equipment prohibitively expensive. The Tejas Mk1, developed and manufactured domestically, is a prime example of India’s capability to produce sophisticated and affordable military hardware.

The Appeal of Tejas Mk1

The Tejas Mk1’s appeal lies in its advanced avionics, multi-role capabilities, and affordability. For African militaries, such as the FAC, these attributes make it an attractive option. India’s commitment to providing maintenance and support further enhances the reliability and cost-effectiveness of its defence systems.

Strengthening Ties and Market Presence

India’s strategy extends beyond just selling equipment; it aims to build long-term partnerships and establish a solid presence in the African defence market. By engaging with countries like DR Congo, India seeks to not only sell more of its domestically produced hardware but also gain access to new markets and strengthen its global influence.

Although, more than one year has past, and no sign of India’s affordable weapons to African forces.

On one hand, India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk 2 programme is languishing without funding, months after the project was approved by New Delhi. The Tejas Mk 2 is intended to provide the Indian Air Force (IAF) with a 4.5-generation medium-weight-class fighter aircraft. The aircraft is designed to be an improvement over the fourth-generation Tejas Mk 1 aircraft currently in IAF service.

Meanwhile, the Botswana Defence Force is in talks with India’s state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) with a view to acquiring several of its Tejas fighter planes.

In a move aimed at enhancing its defence capabilities, the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) is currently engaged in talks with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India’s state-owned aerospace and defense company.

M23 truck falls into a wazalendo ambush in Katale

There are Rumours of   military truck from the Rwandan army RDF that was leaving Rumangabo for Rutshuru center which fell into the ambush of wazalendo in katale near the lime manufacturing site after Bituma.

Several members of M23 are reportedly dead, injured and kidnapped claims some sources (unconfirmed).