The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), in collaboration with the Ugandan army, repelled an attack by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in the village of Bambuba-Kisiki, in the Beni territory, in North Kivu

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The enemy, who wanted to besiege the aforementioned village on the night of Thursday to Friday, November 29, was quickly subdued by elements of two forces, who intervened urgently, local youth reported.

This youth structure, which salutes the army's feat, calls on the population to be vigilant and to report any suspicious movement to the security services.

"For the moment, there is calm in Kokola village located on the Oïcha-Eringeti road axis. The joint FARDC-UPDF force repelled an ADF attack on the evening of last Thursday. There was no human or material damage, because the elements of the two armies who intervened, used professionalism in the face of the attackers. We say thank you, and call on the young people to line up behind the defense forces to win the battle", encouraged Sangayo Maliyayuma, president of the youth in the Bambuba-kisiki group.

According to confidant sources, the activities which slowed down in the morning hours, resumed in the afternoon under the control of the DRC army.

However, some residents in the town report that the enemy is still circulating on the Eringeti-Kainama road axis where the assailants carried out several attacks last week.

Congolese local leaders raise their discomfort over Ugandan soldiers in using porous border to settle on DRC soil.

 

The caucus of traditional leaders and civil society actors of Ituri pleaded, on Thursday, November 28, for the demarcation of borders and the reinforcement of military personnel in the territories of Aru, Mahagi and Irumu, bordering Uganda.

They made this plea during a meeting organized in Bunia (Ituri).

These customary authorities and civil society activists were able to observe that this porosity of the borders is at the root of cases of invasions of Congolese entities by foreign forces, followed by exactions against inhabitants of this border region.

These traditional leaders mentioned the cases of the occupation for three years of the village of Urio, Mahagi territory, by Ugandan soldiers.

" Let this demarcation be done so that we find a peaceful solution between the DRC and Uganda because they also take advantage of this non-demarcation to invade our villages. We hope that the Government can take this matter seriously so that our neighbors cannot occupy our spaces  ," said the spokesperson of this meeting, Kataloho Takumara.

The latter claim that this locality belongs to the DRC.

There are also the islets of Rukwanzi and Muchanga on Lake Albert in the Irumu territory, whose inhabitants are each time threatened with eviction by Ugandan services who claim that these villages are in Uganda.

Congolese fishermen are often arrested or robbed of their fishing equipment and fish. In Aru, several cases of border violations are reported in the chiefdoms of Kakwa and Kaliko Omi.

These concerns were also raised by political actors and members of civil society during the Prime Minister's delegation visiting Bunia last week.

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.