A meeting in Luanda scheduled for Saturday with main objective of neutralizing FDLR and withdrawal of M23

 

The eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo is destabilized by the action of many armed groups, including the M23, which currently occupies a large part of the province of North Kivu, thanks to the military support of Rwanda. Despite the ceasefire in force for more than a month, Rwandan troops remain deployed on Congolese soil and peace is far from being restored. Meanwhile, Angolan mediation is pushing to find a peace agreement between Rwanda and the DRC. 

It is in this context that a new ministerial meeting between the Congolese and Rwandan parties is announced for this Friday, September 14 in Luanda. This new meeting will aim to advance the plan to neutralize the FDLR rebels and withdraw Rwandan troops from DRC soil.

"Today we are working on two levels, on the one hand we must neutralize the FDLR and on the other hand the Rwandan forces must withdraw. On September 14, there will be a new ministerial meeting that will try to analyze the experts' reports but we can note that the ceasefire for example is generally respected even if here and there we deplore incidents in relation to the sensitivity of the region but we think that we are on a good path that can allow us to achieve peace", indicated the government spokesman, Patrick Muyaya, guest on TV5 Monday.

The Congolese government says it is counting on Kigali's sincerity. "We hope that the Rwandan side, which has excelled for a long time in violating what was agreed, will this time be able to choose peace," Muyaya said.

For several months, Kinshasa and Kigali have been discussing around the mediator appointed by the African Union, João Lourenço, Angolan President, a concrete proposal for a lasting and definitive peace agreement for the conflict in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The third ministerial meeting between the Rwandan and Congolese delegations concluded in Luanda, Angola, a few weeks ago. Organized under the aegis of the Angolan authorities, this meeting aimed to advance the peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the Congolese army is in confrontation with the M23, a rebel group supported by Kigali.

The parties agreed on the imperative need to implement a plan to neutralize the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). This plan, initially proposed by Kinshasa, was harmonized during the meetings of 7 and 8 August. A consensus was also reached to strengthen the ad hoc verification mechanism, with the integration of intelligence experts from the three countries. The possibility of involving other actors to ensure compliance with the ceasefire in force since 4 August was also discussed. No significant progress was made on the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from Congolese soil, a priority for Kinshasa. Kinshasa also hopes to obtain an end to Kigali's support for the M23, which continues to gain ground, particularly in the Lubero territory in North Kivu.

M23/AFC political commissar arrested in Kyangwali on a recruitment mission

 

M23/AFC political commissar Arrested in Kyangwali Refugee Camp Detained in Hoima

On interrogation by detectives, Baraka confirmed that he was reporting directly to the AFC Commander, Corneille Yobeluo Nangaa (Nangaa)

David Baraka Elonga, the political commissar of the Congolese armed rebel movement known as Congo River Alliance (AFC), who was arrested from Kyangwali Refugee Settlement in Kikuube district, western Uganda

David Baraka Elonga, the political commissar of the Congolese armed rebel movement known as Congo River Alliance (AFC), who was arrested from Kyangwali Refugee Settlement in Kikuube district, western Uganda, is set to be handed over to UPDF.

Baraka was arrested on September 5, 2024, in Kyangwali where he was actively recruiting refugees to participate in military training in DRC to overthrow the regime of President Felix Thsisekedi.

Police spokesperson ACP Rusoke Kituuma confirmed Baraka’s arrest, saying he was recruiting rebels in the refugee camp.

He said Baraka would be “handed over to the UPDF” for further management. 

On interrogation by detectives, Baraka confirmed that he was reporting directly to the AFC Commander, Corneille Yobeluo Nangaa (Nangaa).

Baraka disclosed to detectives that he was based in Bunia, Djungu territory, Ituri Province. 

“Security found that Baraka had already recruited 32 people, including four young girls,” said an NGO official at the refugee camp who preferred anonymity to speak freely, adding, “The poor refugees were waiting for a vehicle to take them away from the refugee camp to DRC for military training.”

Police have charged Baraka with a case of “aggravated human trafficking” at Hoima Police Station where he has been detained. 

Baraka’s admission to participating in such a crime could see him attract charges of terrorism and treason. 

The development also confirms United Nations’ recent investigative reports showing that the M23/AFC rebel alliance has been quietly recruiting Congolese refugees from camps in Uganda to replenish their ranks with fighters. 

Officials running NGOs in Kyangwali said Uganda needs to firmly deal with external infiltration of refugee camps by dissidents to recruit fighters for rebellions in the region.

AFC is a coalition of rebel groups that seeks to overthrow the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The principal member of AFC is the UN-sanctioned March 23 Movement (M23).

At its launch on December 15, 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya, AFC invited armed groups and members of the Congolese military to join its rebellion. 

AFC conducts advocacy and public outreach on behalf of M23 and seeks to extend its armed insurgency beyond eastern DRC. 

The United Nations has since accused the rebel alliance of driving political instability, violent conflict, and civilian displacement. 

Sneaking into the camp

Local leaders say that Baraka may have quietly sneaked into Uganda through the porous Tchomia-Bugoma border point on August 8, 2024. 

“The rebel illegally entered Kyangwali refugee camp ,activated his contacts to recruit as many refugees as possible to return to Congo and fight. The refugees are promised a better life and rewards in future,” said an official at the refugee camp. 

Baraka also disclosed that the refugees were to undertake military training in Bunagana near the borders of Uganda and Rwanda.

There are a lot of claims that M23 has not only tried to recruit from refuge camps but also has many contact points and secret established supply centres in Uganda more especially in Kisoro and other districts in SW Uganda.Some days back,there was a media out cry from Kinshasha that a certain hotel in Kisoro acted as a transit centre for new recruits for M23.

Bunagana, a critical border town, is controlled by M23 rebels.

On Tuesday, ATMIS Deputy Force Commander for Operations & Plans, Maj. Gen. Marius Ngendabanka, and Sector Five Commander, Col. Oscar Hatungimana, visited Xawadley & Garsale Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in Middle Shabelle to assess troop welfare & preparedness. 

They also met Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF) officers responsible for regional security in Hiran. Both officers commended the Burundi contingent for their strong relations with the Somali Security Forces (SSF) in Hirshabelle State.

DRC army finally has recieved a number of Mwari attack helicopters they procured from South africa

 The DRC has already received its attack aircraft 

They are equipped with missiles, bombs fired at high altitude, it also has a 20 mm cannon and electro-optical cameras for reconnaissance and surveillance missions.

 Democratic Republic of Congo ordered “several” Mwari aircraft from the South African defense firm Paramount Group, according to a 2023 Sept. 13 company news release.

The purchase followed Paramount’s delivery of equipment to Mozambique, where the Mwari is already operational. According to the firm, the aircraft is designed for a wide range of missions, such as counterinsurgency, border patrol, precision strike, reconnaissance and surveillances.

The aircraft, touted as requiring a minimal logistical footprint, can operate in remote and austere environments as well as equip different payloads.

“With decades of experience in asymmetrical warfare, we’ve designed the Mwari as a tool that is not only robust but incredibly adaptable, fitting the needs of modern militaries in Africa and around the world,” Steve Griessel, the chief executive of Paramount Group, said in a statement last year.

Paramount also announced during DSEI it integrated “advanced weapons systems” on the Mwari, noting it will disclose specifics “at a later date.” Weapons testing and certification ae expected later in 2023 or in early 2024, the news release stated.

 The cost-effective Mwari multirole aircraft can be deployed in border patrol, counter insurgency missions, forward air control, forward airdrop and resupply, armed reconnaissance, and electronic intelligence (ELINT) and communication intelligence (COMINT) missions. Other mission capabilities include internal security, disaster management and maritime patrol.

Mwari aircraft design details

Incorporating a twin-boom design, the Mwari aircraft features airframe constructed using meal and composite materials. The longitudinal booms at empennage feature a pair of vertical stabilisers joined by a horizontal stabiliser.

The high-wing design improves its visibility for the crew, while allowing operations from unprepared airfields. The modular design also supports the integration of different mission systems for a range of military operations.

The aircraf has a length of 10.5m, wing span of 12m and a height of 4m. The maximum take-off weight of the aircraft is 3,800kg and maximum payload capacity with full fuel load will be more than 800kg.

Mwari cockpit features

The aircraft features a multi-function IFR glass cockpit, which cockpit accommodates two crew members in tandem seating layout. It can be optionally installed with Martin Baker Mk16 or Mk17 ejection seats.

The cockpit features a large vertical separation and will offer optimum view for the crew.

Armament aboard Mwari

Mwari is e armed with a 20mm cannon integrated into the fuselage. The aircraft features six wing-mounted hard points for carrying a combination of weapons.

The hard points can be added with surface-to-air missiles, rocket launchers and general-purpose bombs.

Sensor / radar equipment

The aircraft is equipped with Boeing integrated mission system for conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and light attack missions. It will feature a belly-mounted, multi-mission sensor pod.

"The aircraft is equipped with Boeing integrated mission system for conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and light attack missions."

The adaptable pod systems aboard the aircraft  allows the integration of forward looking infrared (FLIR) cameras, synthetic aperture radars (SARs), active and passive electronic warfare (EW) systems, and ELINT / COMINT payloads.

Engine and landing gear

The single-pusher-engine configuration of Mwari integrates a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-66B engine driving a single propeller. The flat-rated engine has a power of 710kW (950hp).

Mwari is equipped with retractable tri-cycle landing gear designed for semi-prepared and unprepared runways. The landing gear can be optionally integrated with extra-large high flotation wheels.

Mwari aircraft performance

The short take-off and landing (STOL) capability of the aircraft allows operations in small airfields with short runways or surfaces.

With full load, the aircraft requires a take-off distance of 550m. It will survive 8g and -4g loads during operations.

Mwari can operate at a maximum altitude of 31,000ft and will have a maximum cruise speed of 272kt. The maximum mission rage and ferry range of the aircraft will be 1,150nmi and 2,000nmi, respectively.

General Dominic of CMC/FDP heldaa meeting with his fighters

 The forces of the Collective of Movements for Change, People's Defense Forces "CMC/FDP" in acronym were gathered today Monday September 9, 2024 and the majority of political executives for a moral talk by its Chief of General Staff,  General Dominique who reminds them to remain vigilant and ready for the total liberation of the territories under occupation of the RDF M23. He also reminded them of order, discipline as well as respect for the rules of international humanitarian law and the rights of armed conflicts such as teaching within a time limit that they were retrained. 

Intense fighting between M23 and Wazalendo

 This Monday morning, intense fighting between the M23 rebels supported by Rwanda and the wazalendo have been reported since 3 hours in muheto, kanzenze, kanyatsi, nyamitaba center in the territory of Masisi, chiefdom of Bashali kaembe.

These ongoing rebel attacks follow, according to our source in the area, heavy losses inflicted on the rebels this Sunday by the young resistant patriots of the UPCRN movement of the self-proclaimed General Gentil Tuungane in kalonge and lushangi.

Since Tuesday last week, the M23_RDF have been sending messages asking the populations of mushababwe, Ruza, bundase, rushashi of the tongo grouping in Rutshuru territory to evacuate these villages to make way for the operations they want to launch against the wazalendo who are in the area and its surroundings. The evacuated populations are concentrated in bambo in schools and host families. 

The security situation in other areas remains calm this Monday morning.

M23 makes an official communication on this sunday's attacks