8 provincial deputies meet a Ugandan military intelligence officer

Eight provincial deputies from North Kivu met with Major Andrew, a Ugandan military intelligence officer, on 22 December 2024 in Mwalika (Beni territory). The meeting aimed to assess the status of SHUJAA operations, jointly conducted by the FARDC and UPDF against the ADF/NALU rebels.

Key points discussed:

1. Status of SHUJAA operations

Major Andrew reported that the ADF/NALU is fragmented into small groups scattered in Beni, Irumu, Mambasa and Lubero. Although attacks persist, joint efforts by the FARDC and UPDF are strengthening to neutralize this threat.

2. Presence of the UPDF in Butembo

The presence of the Ugandan army in Butembo was justified by an agreement between Presidents Tshisekedi and Museveni, with the mission of combating the ADF/NALU and other threats, such as the M23. Major Andrew called for the collaboration of the population and the cessation of disinformation campaigns against the UPDF.

The provincial deputies expressed their gratitude to the Ugandan president, the UPDF, and Major Andrew for their commitment to the quest for peace and security in North Kivu.

UPDF and FARDC mistakenly shoots at each other

 One civilian was killed, four FARDC soldiers

and a Ugandan army soldier injured, during a clash that took place accidentally on Saturday, December 21 in the Irumu territory between a group of soldiers engaged in joint operations against the ADF rebels based in Idohu and other soldiers who were returning from a reconnaissance patrol in the forest. 

According to human rights activists, these patrollers were mistaken by their comrades-in-arms for enemies, which created total panic in this entity. 

 In Idohu-Centre on the Komanda-Luna axis in the Irumu territory, FARDC-UPDF soldiers, who were supervising civilians who were carrying out community sanitation work commonly called "Salongo", were surprised by a group of armed men coming from the forest. 

It was in fact a group of other FARDC-UPDF soldiers, who were returning from a routine patrol in the area. 

Mistaking them for ADF rebels, the soldiers in Idohu opened fire on their comrades in arms.

An exchange of fire ensued. 

Human rights activists in the region report that one civilian died after the clash, hit by a stray bullet.

Four FARDC soldiers and one element of the Ugandan army seriously injured. 

Christophe Munyaderu of the Convention for the Respect of Human Rights/Irumu indicates that the situation became calm again in the evening, after having sown panic among the population. 

Shujaa operations spokesman Colonel Mak Hazukay promised to comment on the incident at a later date. 

The Congolese and Ugandan armies have been carrying out joint operations against the ADF for several months in this region.

FARDC and Wazalendo claim that many M23 have been neutralized and several villages liberated .

This Saturday 21/12/24 the village of KANYAMBI, a major stronghold of the M23_RDF in the Lubero territory was retaken by the Congolese army supported by Wazalendo resistance fighters this Saturday, December 21 during new clashes. According to local sources, the rebels launched attacks on army positions from this village. "Under pressure, they did not have time to recover some of their military effects, even food was left on the fire. clashes began at 4:30 a.m. in the south of Lubero territory. Know that Wazalendo resistance fighters are facing M23_RDF rebels supported by Rwanda in the hills of Mambasa and Kanyatsi. The FARDC recaptured the town of Ndoluma this Saturday, December 21, 2024, located south of Lubero territory. During this operation, equipment belonging to the terrorists was seized. An RDF fighter, injured during the clashes, was captured and taken care of by the armed forces. The enemy is driven out of Ndoluma, and the FARDC continue to pursue them. Moise Nyarugabu, after failing with the rebellion in South Kivu, he became Evangilisye At least with the money from the offerings, he will find himself. No negotiation with M23. But this position must be maintained until the end.

Fighting has resumed in Lubero under the command of General Bruno Mandevu… More to come soon, a large part of Luofo is already still in the hands of the FARDC. Major General Bruno Mandevu officially took office as deputy chief of staff of the FARDC in charge of operations and commander of the Northern Front operations, Friday in Lubero in the province of North Kivu, during a ceremony with his predecessor, General Chico Tshitambwe. The information was confirmed in a press release published this Saturday by the spokesperson for the Northern Front operations, Lieutenant Reagan Mbuyi Kalonji. Prior to this appointment, Major General Bruno Mandevu had been in charge of the Sukola 1 operational sector for seven months, with headquarters based in Beni (North Kivu), where he oversaw military operations against armed groups in this part of the country, particularly the Ugandan rebels of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), who have been responsible for the massacres of thousands of civilians for over nine years. His area of intervention extended from Kanyabayonga, in Lubero territory, to Eringeti, in Beni territory. Before commanding the Sukola 1 operations, Bruno Mandevu held a strategic position in the 11th military region in charge of intelligence and operations in Kwamouth, in Mai-Ndombe province. Civil society welcomes the changes made by President Felix Tshisekedi in the chain of command of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC),expressed their satisfaction in a statement made on Friday, December 20 in Goma (North Kivu). In this document, the president of the urban coordination of civil society, Marrion Ngavho Kambale, asks the newly co-opted to work for the restoration of lasting peace in the province and the return of displaced persons to their entities. The latter recalls that the DRC is facing several enemy forces: the M23 rebels, the ADF and the Rwandan army. In addition to these replacements, Marrion Ngavho Kambale asks the Government to provide logistics as well as decent payment of soldiers and the management of their families, to raise the morale of the last fighter who is at the front.

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The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) also announced that they have blocked the advance of the M23/RDF rebels, particularly in Mambasa and around the Lubero territory (North Kivu). The news was reported to the press in the Beni region through an information note from the Front Nord operational sector, on the evening of Friday, December 20, 2024. The army reassures the population that the M23/RDF rebels will not cross Lubero-Centre and the city of Butembo, as some Internet users believe on social networks. "The FARDC have erected a strong barrier and are pushing the enemy back to Lubero. During the clashes that took place successively for 3 days, the FARDC elements blocked the advance of the M23/RDF terrorists in Mambasa and thwarted several attempts by the enemy to overrun Luofu, Kanyambi and Mighobwe," said Second Lieutenant Mbuyi Kalonji Reagan, spokesperson for North Front operations.

General Pacifique Masunzu loved by all Congolese because of his patriotism

 

Pacifique Masunzu, a Munyamulenge with a home in Kiziba of Minembwe, is a major military figure in the DRC whose history is marked by his resistance to Rwandan influence in South Kivu. Here is an overview of his career.

Pacifique Masunzu began his career in the Alliance of Democratic Forces for Liberation (AFDL) before joining the RCD after the 1998 war.

 In 2002, he clashed with the Paul Kagame regime, which ordered his arrest for treason after his opposition to the relocation of the Banyamulenge to refugee camps in Rwanda and certain behaviors.With the help of deserter Colonel Rukundo Makanika, Masunzu escaped his transfer to Rwanda and found refuge in Minembwe, in the Fizi territory.

In Minembwe, Masunzu founded the FRF and joined the Mai-Mai KAZIMIA axis led by General Madoa-Madoa to fight Rwanda and the RCD.Gen. Madoa is a former commander of the navyo f the FAC (Congolese Armed Forces).Within the Mai-Mai, Pacifique Masunzu will fight alongside General Antoine Padiri Bulendwa (Another enemy of Kagame), who currently holds the position of commander of the armed forces reserves and defense.

Paul Kagame, using the reason to neutralize the FDLR as usual, in August 2002, he sent commandos and helicopters to neutralize Masunzu, but Masunzu's forces with Gen. Padiri inflicted heavy losses on the Rwandan army.After suffering heavy losses, Kagame realized that he could not win this fight and finally decided to withdraw.This resistance made him a respected figure, especially in South Kivu.

In 2004, after making history with his struggle, Masunzu joined the military and obtained the rank of general in the FARDC.

When President Tshisekedi came to power, he appointed him as commander of the second defense zone, covering the Greater Katanga region.

His resistance to Rwandan forces and his commitment to the defense of the DRC made him an icon of patriotism, particularly in South Kivu.

 This journey, although complex, illustrates Masunzu's role in the fight for the sovereignty of the DRC.

Kagames appoints new sport minister as Vincent Karega struggles to get a proper ambassadorial posting

  Paul Kagames,President of the Republic of Rwanda has appointed new officials including Nelly Mukazayire who has been appointed Minister of Sports, and Rwego Ngarambe who has been appointed Secretary of State at MINISPORTS

Russian hackers XakNet gave a powerful blow to Ukraine, attacking and "breaking" the national information system, responsible for all databases in the country!!!

 

The blow was dealt to the "National Information Systems" - the operator of all government data in Ukraine.

Unified State Register of all organizations and individuals, all types of property, courts, debtors, convicts, powers of attorney, inheritances, notarial acts, documents of the Ministry of Justice, acts of civil status of citizens, mortgages, transactions, media, personal databases, etc.

All databases were carefully downloaded.

Moreover, as a result of the attack on NAIS, hackers penetrated the infrastructure with all the data of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine , downloading a huge amount of data.

The total volume of data is more than 1,000,000,000 (billion) lines!

Then it was decided to delete all available information. And not only there, but also on servers in Poland (it is very important to store government data on foreign storage facilities, by the way. This is apparently what independence looks like in Ukraine, where backup copies were stored.

President Tshisekedi makes reshuffles in army

Ndaywel

Chiko Tshitambwe

jules Banzai Mwilambwe

Pacifique Masunzu

Lieutenant General Jules Banza Mwilambwe has been appointed Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) to replace Army General Tshiwewe Christian who as been given a role as the military adviser to the president. 

Brigadier General B.Kimbalambala Bataauli has been appointed as head of Military intelligence.

The Head of State has decided to keep Lieutenant General Jacques Itshangoliza Nduru in his post as Deputy Chief of General Staff in charge of operations and intelligence. 

For his part, Lieutenant General Léon Richard Kasonga has lost his post to Lieutenant General Kabamba wa Kasanda François.

Major Gen Christian Ndaywel will head the FARDC land forces.

Changes have also been made in military zones:

Pacific Masunzu a bitter critique of Kagame's advances in DRC has been appointed as head of the 3rd defence zone and deputies byBiangalo Anthony andd Brigadier general Mpanga modeste

Tchitambwe Chico ha been appointed as head of first defence zone ad will be deputized by  Kabundi Etienne and Punza Ngoma who will be in charge of administration in this zone 

2nd defence zone to be headed by Bitangalo Clement and deputised by Sadik Maboko

Major Gen Makombo Jean Rodger appointed as deputy chief off staff in charge of intelligence within FARDC.

This change within the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo comes in a context of rising violence in the east of the country and the advance of the M23, particularly in the Lubero territory, in North Kivu. Despite the ceasefire in effect since August 4, 2024, clashes between the M23 and other armed groups continue. The M23 has extended its territorial control, particularly towards Pinga, in the Walikale territory, and has even established a parallel administration in the areas it controls, according to recent statements from the group's political president, Bertrand Bisimwa.

The Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), for their part, have called for direct dialogue with the Rwandan government in a letter addressed to Angolan President João Lourenço, who plays a mediating role in the region. With this new dynamic within the military apparatus, the FARDC will have to respond to major challenges, including the fight against armed groups, the stabilization of tense areas and the restoration of state authority in the east of the country.

General Banza Mwilambwe Jules takes office in a context where the government faces demands for direct dialogue from the Congo River Alliance (AFC)/M23 and other armed groups, while the international community, notably through MONUSCO, continues to document the scale of human rights violations.

Summary:

-Lieutenant General Banza Mwilanié Jules appointed Chief of General Staff of the FARDC;

- Army General Christian Chiwewe appointed military advisor to the Head of State, after having been Chief of General Staff;

- Major General Christia Ndaywel who leaves DEMIAP for the Land Force, where he is appointed Chief of General Staff;

- General Chico Tshitambwe

appointed commander of the first defense zone;

- Major General Makombo Jean-Roger appointed deputy chief of staff in charge of military intelligence;

- General Pacifique Masunzu appointed commander of the third defense zone.

There are also some military officers who have been promoted in rank for their bravery and service to the nation.

Lieutenant General

1. Banza Jules 

2. Kabamba François 

3. Kasongo kabwik Jean-Pierre

Major General

1. Malubuni Martin 

2. Makombo jean Roger 

3. Biagolo Antoine

Brigadier General

1. Katende Benjamin Batubadila 

2. Maloba Mwila Éric 

3. Monga bongo Remond 

4. Mpanga Muamba Modeste

5. Muteteke Jules

In addition, the Head of State also appointed a new head of the Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Recovery and Stabilization Program (P-DDRC). This is Jean de Dieu Ntanga Nkita.

Despite some changes made within the command of the Republican Guard (GR), the Head of State Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi has decided to renew his confidence in Major General Kabi Kiriza Ephraim as Commander of this special unit of presidential security, a position he has held since October 2022.

Following a series of orders read on Thursday, December 19 on the national channel, Head of State Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi appointed Brigadier General Katende Batubadila Benjamin to the post of Deputy Commander in charge of operations and intelligence, replacing Brigadier General Inengeli Baka Thierryson. 

Brigadier General Mulumba Kabanangi Désiré has been retained as Deputy Commander in charge of administration and logistics. This will be the case for the GR General Staff, which will still be led by Maloba Mwila Éric, now elevated to the rank of Brigadier General, who was a colonel before this elevation in rank.

In another similar order, the Head of State Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi proceeded to the appointment within the specified commands of the Republican Guard. According to the same order, he appointed in particular:

• Colonel Tshala Kalambayi Dédé: T2 Republican Guard 

• Colonel Lumu Kateba Alidor: T3 Republican Guard

• Colonel Katanga Mubikayi Dieudonné Commander 14th security regiment

• Lieutenant Colonel Makoko Bwanamoya Serge Commander 141st high security protection.

In addition to the common missions assigned to the army, the GR has specific missions, under the terms of order no. 13-063 on the organization and operation of the Republican Guard, of June 22, 2013, to ensure: the guard and protection of the President of the Republic and his family as well as distinguished guests; the security of presidential property and installations; escorts and honors at the level of the Presidency of the Republic.

In case of emergency or necessity, the GR can be requisitioned and engaged in combat (at the front) or in operations to maintain or restore public order. Its commander reports to the President of the Republic in terms of operations; he is his right-hand man. But in terms of administration and logistics, he reports to the Chief of General Staff of the FARDC.

You can read more about these officers and zones in this post by clicking on this link