Jubaland troops arrived in Mogadishu this morning

 

Jubaland troops join Somalia’s National Army as part of a push against militants. Arriving in Mogadishu today, they were welcomed by federal officials and are set to receive salaries, ranks, and support after years of neglect under Ahmed Madobe.

In an related move,Heavy troop movements reported in Bosaso, Puntland’s commercial hub, as the Saciid Deni administration mobilizes armored forces to Kala-bayr. The operation targets Al-Shabaab & ISIS militants in the eastern Bari region, aiming to clear hideouts in the rugged Calmadaw mountains.

Over 10 killed in clashes between clan militias in Ceeldheere

 Over 10 killed in clashes between clan militias in Ceeldheere, near the Hiiraan-Middle Shabelle border. Fighting continued into Friday afternoon, with tensions high as militias mobilize Intelligence  extracts from Locals indicated that the situation remains volatile up to now

Alshaabab targets civilians who comply with gorvenment's surveillance program

 

Al-Shabaab militants have intensified their attacks against civilians in Mogadishu, targeting businesses and individuals complying with the Somali government's directive to install CCTV cameras. The mandate, part of a broader urban security initiative, has provoked a violent backlash from the extremist group, underscoring the fragile balance between security measures and civilian safety in Somalia's capital.

Since October 2024, ACLED has recorded 23 political violence incidents in Mogadishu, resulting in 37 fatalities. Nearly 40% of these incidents were linked to Al-Shabaab's retaliation against CCTV installations. The attacks have paralyzed key neighbourhoods, with markets in Yaqshid and Heliwa districts shuttering under threats of violence.

"Al-Shabaab is sending a brutal message: cooperate with the authorities, and you become a target," said Hassan Ali, a Mogadishu-based security analyst. On October 28, four businessmen were gunned down in the Misaanka Dhuhusha neighbourhood, and two civilians were killed weeks later in Sarkuus. Business owners now face an agonizing dilemma—comply with government orders or risk becoming targets of Al-Shabaab's wrath.

The government's surveillance initiative, launched in 2023, aims to curb Al-Shabaab's influence by exposing its extortion networks and operational movements. The group reportedly collects monthly "taxes" from businesses, funnelling funds into their insurgency.

"We're caught between the government's orders and the militants' threats," said a shop owner who requested anonymity. "Our livelihoods and lives are at stake."

Somalia commandos finish training in Turkey

 Hundreds of Somali Gorgor unit commandos graduated on Friday from an advanced training program in Türkiye, marking a significant step in bolstering Somalia’s fight against al-Shabaab militants.

The training, conducted under a bilateral agreement between Mogadishu and Ankara, focused on equipping the elite soldiers with skills to address complex security challenges in the Horn of Africa.

“Today in Isparta, Turkey, we held a crucial closing ceremony to enhance our agreement on constructing and strengthening the Somali Armed Forces,” the Somali Embassy in Türkiye announced on X.

Somali Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur praised Türkiye’s unwavering support, describing it as vital for Somalia’s peace and security.

During his meeting with Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz earlier this week, Nur reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to strengthening ties with Türkiye across various sectors.

Türkiye has been a steadfast ally, aiding Somalia in defense, education, health care, and infrastructure development.

It also operates its largest overseas military training base in Mogadishu, a cornerstone in Somalia’s military revival.

This graduation underscores the deepening partnership between the nations and Somalia’s ongoing efforts to rebuild its security forces amid persistent threats from al-Shabaab.

M23 rejects the agreements between Kinshasha and Kigali

 

 The M23 rebel movement has declared that the agreement reached between the DRC and Rwanda, mediated by Angola, does not concern it.  The agreement, aimed at defusing tensions between the two countries, was signed this week in Luanda. The M23, which currently controls several territories in North Kivu province, said it did not recognize the agreement and that they would continue the rebellion.  The situation in eastern DRC remains tense, despite mediation efforts. The M23 is accused by Kinshasa of being supported by Rwanda with alot RDF elemenys fighting along side the rebels,a claim which Kigali denies.

According to Intelligence sources within the M23,the boys on the Frontline are jubilating and have received this refusal of the agreement with applause.Many fighters within M23 are sternly saying that ;"this is not 2013,we are fighting for our mothers ,brothers and relatives so that they can regain their freedom and rights to live happily like any other Congolese,we will not stop fighting ,It is not Angola,Rwanda or Tshisekedi who will stop us,what will stop us is the surelity of our freedom,the freedom of our relatives who are perishing in IDP camps and other refugee camps around the region,the agreement  will not stop us".

It was a shock to hear some of these fighters saying that:

"We respect Afande Makenga,but we are not fighting for Makenga,and he knows it very well,we thank him for organizing us and we utmostly respect him and we know well that he cannot believe in that nonsense,Makenga is also fighting like all of us are doing so that we get freedom.Not even a single incident will stop us.."

It is evident that the M23 is more determined than the other previous rebellion they staged.

Jao Laorenco engages Tshisekedi and Kagame over the phone

 President João Lourenço, mandated by the African Union to mediate in the crisis between Kinshasa and Kigali, met successively with Presidents Félix Tshisekedi (DRC) on Wednesday and Paul Kagame (Rwanda) on Thursday. These phone calls aimed to discuss the security situation in eastern DRC.

These discussions come after the signing, on November 25 in Luanda, of a Concept of Operations (CONOPS) by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the DRC and Rwanda. This plan, developed under the mediation of João Lourenço, sets out the modalities of joint efforts to neutralize the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and initiate a disengagement of Rwandan forces.

The plan includes four main phases:

An analysis of the threats posed by the FDLR, including the location of their positions and equipment.

Targeted actions to neutralize the FDLR and their allies.

A joint assessment of progress made.

A stabilization phase involving the demobilization and repatriation of ex-FDLR combatants, as well as the normalization of bilateral relations between the DRC and Rwanda.

RDF and UPDF held talks in Musanze to tighten cooperation in fight against trans border crimes.

 

In Musanze  of the Northern Province there were talks between the Rwandan and Ugandan forces in order to continue cooperation in suppressing problems that threaten the people on the border between the two countries.

These talks took place for the third time, bringing together the leadership of the Defense Divisions working in the border areas of both countries and the leaders from the Defense Command as well as the representatives of the Military Forces in it, which started on this from Thursday 28th to Friday 30th November 2024.

The military leaders of both sides met together to discuss how to continue to deal with the activities that disturb the security of both sides in the border areas.

The Commander of the Second Division of the Rwandan Army, Brig Gen Frank Mutembe, emphasized the importance of cooperation in combating illegal cross-border activities.

He said, "Such meetings are aimed at discussing issues that threaten the people of our borders, including smuggling, illegal cross-border activities, smuggling, and those who harm the environment."

Brig Gen Paul Muhanguzi, the leader of the UPDF delegation, thanked the leadership of the Armed Forces of both countries and their Commanders-in-Chief for assisting them in these discussions.

He said, “We also continue to praise our Heads of State for creating a website like this that facilitates discussions. It is important to meet the goals of our leaders and to assess the security needs of the people living in the border areas on both sides."

Before the official launch of this meeting, the representatives of the Ugandan Armed Forces, visited the administration of private government agencies, where they visited the people of Musanze District, and were received by the leaders of Burera and Gicumbi Districts, both of which share border with Uganda.