


RDC: ECIDE – Martin Fayulu – “Discours de Cloture du Conseil National 2017 de l’ECIDE – Le Chaos se Prepare en RDC” (17.12.2017)







There are always an aftermath after a massacre, clearly the lights into darkness, you never know what you find or who you find. The ADF or ADF-NALU has gotten the blame for the attack on 7th December 2017. However, there are questions if they could do such a well based attack on MONUSCO and FARDC soldiers on that day. This will be a question as long as the Democratic Republic of Congo isn’t delivering or telling who they believe is behind it.
I will go through recent days report as the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) are preparing to deploy new forces in a joint mission together with the FARDC. This happens as there been consultation meetings in Mbarara, in the same days as the attack in Beni occurred. The reasons for this strike and attack is not known. The basic leverage of doing so is neither seen. If the ADF really did it or not. The ADF or ADF-NALU has not taken responsibility. Neither is the certainty of former M23 or any other group in the region having the capacity to strike this heavy against the peacekeepers on the move. With knowledge of their movement and knew exactly when to shoot.
Therefore, I have complied certain parts of news and reporting during the past few days. From different sources, as the UPDF are preparing to enter. Do a mission again inside the Congolese territory. This isn’t new, but new in the prospects, that the Kinshasa government is on overtime and extending their reign without any elections. While certain regions are filled with insecurity and rush of soldiers. With the use of foreign soldiers to clear out internal issues. Also ex-militants who are creating more trouble in a already conflicted region, where peace seems to evade.
“The neutralization of the ADF and the security of the borders between the DRC and Uganda are two topics at the center of a meeting, Thursday, December 14, between the armed forces of these two countries. The talks are taking place in Kasindi-Lubiriha, a Congolese town about 90 km northeast of the city of Beni, bordering Uganda. This meeting brings together some senior officers and generals of the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) as well as those of the Ugandan army (UPDF). According to security sources, the FARDC and the UPDF are discussing the planning and start of joint operations to neutralize the terrorist group ADF, active in the territory of Beni. The meeting between the Ugandan army and the Congolese army comes as new FARDC reinforcements from Kisangani have been deployed since Wednesday, December 13, in the Beni region. The Ugandan army delegation is led by Brigadier Michael Kabango, commander of the 5th Infantry Division of the Ugandan army. That of the Armed Forces of the DRC is led by General Marcel Mbangu commander of operations Sokola 1 North” (Radio Okapi, 2017)
“National MP Paul Muhindo opposes planning a joint military operation between Ugandan and Congolese armies against Ugandan rebels from the ADF. During a briefing on Friday, December 15, this elected North Kivu, believes that this operation “will amplify things” on Congolese soil. “We think it’s a bad thing to associate these people [Ugandan soldiers] with coming to fight the ADF who are their brothers. This is a way for us to believe that we want to further amplify the situation on our territory, “said MP Paul Muhindo. He said a mixed military operation is not appropriate for bringing peace to eastern DRC. MP Muhindo believes that the FARDC are able to end the activism of this rebel group, with the support of the UN Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), “if there is a clear will.”” (Radio Okapi, 2017).
Denouncing UPDF presence already in March 2017 in the DRC:
“The provincial assembly of North Kivu opened its March session on Monday, March 31st. A session that starts with the denunciation of the presence of Ugandan army soldiers in some parts of eastern DRC. The chairman of this deliberative body clarified the areas where these UPDF soldiers are concentrated for unclear reasons. Jules HAKIZIMWAMI cited, for example, the Sarambwe Gorilla Reserve, about 100 kilometers north of Goma, in Rutshuru territory. They have been there since March 26, he said. He continued that these UPDF soldiers occupy important hills in the Sarambwe and Kisharo villages in the Binza group. The already occupied hills include Kazingiro, Kabumba, Risura and Kanyabusanane, more or less 20 kilometers from the Congolese-Ugandan border, according to the president of the provincial assembly of North Kivu. Jules HAKIZIMWAMI lamented the fact that these Ugandan soldiers say they came to secure their compatriots, who preceded them to make fields in Sarambwe. In his opening speech of this parliamentary session, the president of the provincial assembly called for the involvement of national authorities and regional and international cooperation structures to put an end to this presence” (Masimengo, 2017).
Museveni order UPDF to DRC:
“Observers say UPDF’s anticipated operations could stretch deep into the volatile and unstable region to create a buffer zone for Uganda. “This time the President is extremely serious,” said a source. “He will not allow anyone to stand in his way as soon as DRC commences joint operations with UPDF.” Multiple sources said Museveni insisted Uganda obtains consent from DRC to avoid legal ramifications of an “invasion” and “work with all stakeholders to pacify that region.” “We intend to go there officially and work closely with DRC forces to stabilize the region across our border,” said an official informed about Uganda’s preparations for combat action. By Friday, heavily armed troops and artillery pieces were still being deployed at the border, confirming widely held perception UPDF would be inside DRC for quite a long time” (Muhame, 2017).
Who is behind the December attack on MONUSCO:
“Tuesday, December 06, 2017. The FARDC officials whose camp is based near the base of the peacekeepers Camp, more or less 700m away, phone that they will send soldiers to fetch food, as they are used to doing. Around 17:30, they call their partners to announce that they are en route. A few minutes later, they arrive at the edge of their well-identified vehicle known to Tanzanian peacekeepers. They are around 35. They are familiar with the configuration of the camp. They are used to going there to refuel. Those who stand guard recognize some of them. They let them in. Everything is going fast! While one of those on guard is calling his superiors to warn them of the arrival of their « friends », the vehicle stops in the middle of the camp. A group of 5 or 6 goes towards the structures of communication, passes immediately to the attack and in the blink of an eye all the structures of communication are destroyed and all the camp is under attack. The peacekeepers are more trained than the attackers. They manage to repel the enemy. Moments later, another FARDC group arrives while the peacekeepers continue to repel the attackers. Great surprise! The peacekeepers note that the Fardc arrive to reinforce the attackers. This reinforcement will continue until dawn. Whenever attacking Fardc units feel weakened, others come to replace them. To believe a FARDC soldier who has just contacted Benilubero newsroom, while the fighting continues, Colonel Papy Kasongo, the head of the FARDC regiment, will constantly communicate with his superiors and tell them that the ADF have tried to take the camp of the peacekeepers but that everything returned in order a few minutes later” (…) “Thursday, December 08, 2017 Monusco is alerted in the early hours that one of its camps was attacked at night. Without delay, it sends a reinforcement. The consternation is total on arrival. Injured people moan in the bush. Lifeless bodies are strewn everywhere: 14 Tanzanian peacekeepers and 5 Fardc killed, among whom we can identify 3 Rwandans. The camp is literally looted. All materials and food were taken away. But no combat is reported in the area and no body of a so-called ADF-Nalu is found. Injured people testify and the facts speak for themselves. Monusco is very embarrassed. It will limit itself to giving the human balance sheet” (Beni Lubero, 2017)
With all of this, we can just speculate and wonder. Who did what and where. The reality is that innocent lives are taken. This time both FARDC soldiers and Tanzanian peacekeepers. Also the deaths of the attackers, who we don’t know if they belonged to ADF or if they we’re even a parallel FARDC-Network. At this moment, we don’t know. The speculations and the intelligence on the matter is mere opinions and not facts.
There are two stories being told and its hard to know, which ones to believe, what is striking is the quickly resolve of sending forces from Uganda into this. How easily the FARDC accept to play second fiddle on their own soil. How the UPDF and Museveni can deploy his forces in Northern Kivu. Without sort of acceptance of MONUSCO or anyone else supporting the peacekeepers. We can wonder who will pay or what will be the pay for these soldiers in the DRC. Since the UPDF has to pay them and give them shelter while fighting militants in the Beni area.
If the MP Muhindo is right, that it will amplify things, then the next coming weeks will be bloody. Also with the possible troops there already near Goma. They are already in the region and ready to arrive on the scene, as they have put soldiers and artillery in the Kisoro region combined with the ones reported in March 2017 20 km away from Goma. This proves that the Ugandans was ready prepared long in advanced for this sort of strike close to their border. That shouldn’t shock anyone, since they have been in the DRC plenty of times and used it to export valuable minerals and timber for a long time. This combined with the Consultation Meeting in December in Mbarara. Proves that something was-up, but the official agreement between the DRC and Uganda in this matter. Has not been official. Neither has the minutes for that meeting. In the hours and days ahead of the attack on MONUSCO in Beni. That should also be questioned.
We should be worried about that, because secrecy like that, makes it even more questionable, the reasons for the deployment and also the sudden attack on MONUSCO. There are enough pieces that is missing and the picture is not clear. If it is Kabila who needs insurgency as a reason to stay in power or Museveni wants soldiers deployed, because he has a smaller contingent in Somalia (AMISOM). Peace.
Reference:
Beni Lubero – ‘The whole truth about the assassination of Tanzanian peacekeepers: A signed attack by FARDC’ (16.12.2017) link: http://benilubero.com/the-whole-truth-about-the-assassination-of-tanzanian-peacekeepers-a-signed-attack-by-fardc/
Radio Okapi – ‘La neutralisation des ADF au centre d’une réunion entre les FARDC et l’armée ougandaise’ (14.12.2017) link: https://www.radiookapi.net/2017/12/14/actualite/securite/la-neutralisation-des-adf-au-centre-dune-reunion-entre-les-fardc-et
Radio Okapi – ‘Le député Muhindo s’oppose à l’opération militaire mixte RDC-Ouganda contre les ADF’ (17.12.2017) link: https://www.radiookapi.net/2017/12/17/actualite/securite/le-depute-muhindo-soppose-loperation-militaire-mixte-rdc-ouganda
Masimengo, Eve – ‘Nord-Kivu : Des militaires Ougandais s’installent dans certaines localités’ (13.12.2017) link: http://benilubero.com/nord-kivu-des-militaires-ougandais-sinstallent-dans-certaines-localites/
Muhame, Giles – ‘Museveni Orders On DRC Operation as UPDF Amass Troops at Border’ (17.12.2017) link: http://chimpreports.com/museveni-orders-on-drc-operation-as-updf-amass-troops-at-border/









The Ugandan based militia, which has two groups ADF-NALU and ADF, one led by the now detained Jamir Mukulu and the other one led by Seka Bukulu. The biggest group is the last one, which has about 1,000 militants, while Mukulu is about 30 people. That meaning since the reports on the attack, it wasn’t the ADF under Mukulu attacking MONUSCO yesterday, but the militant group under Bukulu, since there we’re 72 militants killed, while 15 Tanzanian Peacekeepers was killed, 5 FARDC soldier and 43 wounded as well. Therefore, the killings yesterday was substantial and the biggest attack on MONUSCO since 2010.
This attack happens while the governments of Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo are having meeting in Mbarara, discussing provisions against insecurity and across the borders. The continuation of the Operation Sokola 1 that has been on since 2014. Still, the problem of ADF and others in the region are there.
For those of you who has no knowledge of ADF. I will give some information about who they are and amount. Just briefly. Before what happen yesterday and also in Mbarara. As the discussions between GoU and GoDRC. Which will entail certain changes at the end of the day. Since the ADF has its origin in the Rwenzori mountains, before becoming a vital part of militias in and around North-Kivu.
Allied Defense Force origin:
“The Alliance of Democratic Forces (ADF) is made up of Ugandan opposition forces, supported by the Government of Sudan, which fought the Government of Uganda. According to the UN, most of its members are Islamists who want to establish Sharia law in Uganda” (…) “The ADF is led by a Muslim, Jamir Mukulu and operated in western Uganda. Historically it has used Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) territory for its bases. However, the ADF was initially severely crippled by the establishment of Laurent Kabila’s Government in the DRC in May 1997 and by its subsequent provision to the UPDF of access to rebel bases in the DRC” (…) “By March 2016 attacks on civilians in the Beni region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo had killed at least 550 people over 18 months. Congolese officials placed the blame on the Allied Democratic Forces, characterized as a Ugandan Islamist movement, but a report from the Congo Research Group says it may not be that simple. Jason Stearns, lead author of the report, agreed that the ADF was partly responsible but said the group was not working alone. “The first conclusion [is] that the ADF is not really what people make it out to be,” he said. “It’s not this foreign Islamist force; it’s a force that is much more rooted in local society. And the second conclusion is that it’s not just the ADF but also others who are involved in the massacres.” (Global Security, 2016).
“ADF has a financial support network that includes local and international sources. In 2014, the Group documented that ADF received financing through international money transfers, the theft of Congolese army salaries and the delivery of funds to camps by recruits and ADF agents. The Group also received credible information that ADF derived funding from harvesting timber in its area of control” (UNSC, 2015).
“ADF-NALU comprises some 800-1,400 combatants, without including the women and children in its ranks. Based in the northwestern Rwenzori Mountain region, along the border with Uganda, the militia is a “tightly controlled organization”, subsisting on illegal logging and gold mining as well as a “network of car and motorcycle taxis operating between Butembo, Beni and Oicha”, and “money transfers from London, Kenya and Uganda, which are collected through Congolese intermediaries in Beni and Butembo”, according to a UN Group of Experts report. Butembo, Beni and Oicha are in North Kivu Province” (IRIN, 2014).
In December:
“Representatives from two countries will reflect on solutions to security issues between districts in South West Uganda and North Kivu Province. Among the Ugandan districts represented in these meetings, the same sources cite Rubirizi, Kisoro, Kanungu Rukingiri Bundibujo, Ntoroko and Kasese.
According to other security sources, for the past few days, there are already discussions and discussions between the FARDC and the Ugandan army to launch joint operations for the neutralization of Ugandan rebels of the ADF, active in the territory of Beni. In addition to members of the provincial government of North Kivu, some senior officers of the 34th military region, Operation Sokola 1 and the Congolese National Police represent the DRC at this bilateral meeting that will last four days” (Radio Okapi, 2017).
The Attack today:
“The Congolese army (FARDC) claims to have killed 72 Ugandan rebels of the ADF during an attack on a MONUSCO peacekeepers’ base on Thursday, 7 December 2017 in Semuliki in the Beni territory (North Kivu). Contrary to Monusco’s assessment of five Congolese soldiers killed in the attack, Operation Sokola 1 North’s spokesman, Captain Mak Hazukay, speaks of a death in the ranks of the army. “This is the position of the Monusco that was attacked, we came in reinforcements (…) 72 ADF elements were killed and 1 soldier found death during the attack”, said to ACTUALITE.CD, Captain Mak Hazukay, spokesman for Operation Sokola 1 North in Beni” (Actualite.cd, 2017).
So after yesterdays attack, we can wonder if the Ugandan People’s Defense Force (UPDF) and FARDC will go after ADF. Like they have done with Lords Resistance Army (LRA) in Operation Lightning Thunder, the Garamba Offensive. It sent the LRA packing and got them to leave the territory of the DRC. But they were able to leave, so they are causing havoc instead in the Central African Republic.
We can wonder if they are planning something similar now with the ADF in the Kivu Provinces. To get rid of the 1,000 militants, who are robbing the FARDC and trading timber. Since Operation Sokola 1 haven’t been sufficient to target the ADF.
We can also wonder, since the Mbarara Sessions occurred at about the same time. It was just as it needs funds for new mobilizing and such. That the strike against MONUSCO. Just appeared as the neighbors wants to address the problems of the ADF. Like the military movements will come as even the returning soldiers in the UPDF from Somalia as well. It is just like everything is fitting like a glove for all parties involved. UPDF have extra soldiers used to combat in Somalia, while the Kivu’s is under fire and the FARDC needs support from not only peacekeepers, but serious military personnel who can actually fight the militants. It is just a perfect scenario for the leadership in Kinshasa and Kampala. While the Kivus’ are suffering in insecurity. Peace.
Reference:
Actualite.cd – ‘ RDC : 72 rebelles ADF tués lors de l’attaque contre les casques bleus à Beni selon les FARDC’ (08.12.2017) link: https://actualite.cd/2017/12/08/rdc-72-rebelles-adf-tues-lors-de-lattaque-contre-casques-bleus-a-beni-selon-fardc/
Global Security – ‘Allied Defense Force (ADF)’ (15.12.2016) link: https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/adf.htm
IRIN – ‘ADF-NALU militia in DRC’ (27.01.2014) link: http://www.irinnews.org/report/99538/briefing-adf-nalu-militia-drc
Radio Okapi – ‘La sécurité des districts frontaliers en discussion entre la RDC et l’Ouganda à Mbarara’ (08.12.2017) link: https://www.radiookapi.net/2017/12/08/actualite/societe/la-securite-des-districts-frontaliers-en-discussion-entre-la-rdc-et?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A%20radiookapi/actu%20%28Radiookapi.net%20-%20Actualit%C3%A9%29
United Nations Security Council – ‘Letter dated 12 January 2015 from the Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004) concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo addressed to the President of the Security Council’ (12.01.2015) link.http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3-CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/s_2015_19.pdf

Addis Ababa, 8 December 2017: The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, Moussa Faki Mahamat, has learned with shock of the heinous attack carried out yesterday night against the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and Congolese soldiers, in the North Kivu province. The attack resulted in the killing of 15 Tanzanian peacekeepers and 5 Congolese soldiers, while 53 members of the Mission were wounded.
The Chairperson of the Commission strongly condemns this abject attack. He conveys the African Union sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wishes speedy recovery to the wounded. He expresses the African Union solidarity with the peoples and Governments of Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as with MONUSCO and the entire United Nations family. He looks forward to speedy and concrete steps to identify the perpetrators of this crime and bring them to justice.
The Chairperson of the Commission commends MONUSCO for its vital role in the Democratic Repubic of Congo, particularly in the current context marked by preparations for the holding of the elections planned for December next year. In this respect, he underlines the need to avail MONUSCO all the support it needs to facilitate the discharge of its mandate.

Well, it is not strange that the Inter-Burundian Dialogue done with help of Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and with former Tanzanian President Benjamin William Mpaka. These two did it under the East African Community (EAC) umbrella and with support of the African Union (AU). The continued oppression of opposition to the President Pierre Nkurunziza and his ruling party CNDD-FDD, who changed the constitution and also allowed the President to start his third term in 2015.
Therefore, the Inter-Burundian Dialogue that has gone since the crisis and crackdown on opposition occurred. Haven’t created peace, neither dialogue that has made any sense. That is why the recent reports of even Mpaka being ‘disappointed’ with the results. Nkuruniziza and CNDD-FDD had no interests in changing their paradigm. As they have the Courts, Parliament and Society in general. In Burundi, Nkurunziza is the law and it will be bent to his needs.
That is why this is the recent result from the last meetings, which has lasted and where the venue and the people showing up has been decided by the President and his men. Therefore, many vital opposition groups not been involved, neither has bigger civil society, therefore just by that sense the whole negotiations and sessions. They have not delivered anything substantial. Just like Nkurunziza would prefer.
“In his speech before all the participants in the inter-Burundian dialogue in Arusha, Facilitator Benjamin William Mkapa, has announced “there will be no agreement, declaration or binding document” after the two-week session expected to end this 8 December. In the 7 December plenary session that lasted thirty minutes, some points of convergence that could a form an agreement as well as points of divergence that could be the subject of dialogue and negotiation in the future have been identified” (…) “Benjamin Mkapa says the points of divergence require more consultation among the stakeholders so that there should be a way out of the political impasse that Burundi has been through since 2014 as soon as possible” (Uwimana, 2017).
While that was happening, another plenary sessions in the Inter-Burundian Dialogue that has steadily happen since 2015. With nothing to show for, in the midst of it, there been more arrests, assassinations and exile for leadership in the opposition. The CNDD-FDD Youth League, the militant and violent arm of the government, the Imbonerakure who has also taken part in killings and kidnapping individuals who is opposing the regime.
As that is still happening, there been workings on new changes to the Constitution to give the President, yet more time in power. His plan is to not leave and stay for life. He does it with all means to oppress and control all parts of society. Therefore, they are holding a ceremony on the 12th December 2017 at Commune Bugenda in the Province of Githara. Where they are planning a referendum to fix it ready for the President. This will be celebration to secure the future legally for Nkurunziza.
So with that initial change, the Arusha Accord of 2000 is officially buried somewhere inside Burundi. It is totally dead and has no return while Nkurunziza and CNDD-FDD are ruling. They just used the EAC and the mediation to stall for time. They just used the Inclusive Inter-Burundian Dialogue, to use time to consolidate more power and make sure they knew of all their enemies. That is why there are less of them, if there are people who stand against them. They will crush them. Just like when one of the Opposition Parties got a new leader, his Hotel was destroyed the day after. That wasn’t a coincidence. That is the CNDD-FDD leadership in action.
Pierre Nkurunziza has no plan of leaving and he uses all tools to stay there. No stone left unturned. The EAC Dialogue and Sessions was wasting time, but giving him time to change the constitution. Through a Referendum. So that he can elect himself again in 2020. This with a lavish ceremony on the 12th December, the next steps for his re-election and his possible fourth term. With all the bloodshed and the destruction of the opposition. Even in the refugee camps inside Tanzania has certain leaders of the opposition been arrested and detained in Burundi. Also people have disappeared and vanish from the surface of the earth.
The Inter-Burundian Dialogue was built on wrong direction, as Museveni as peacemaker has a stake in the young leader in Burundi. He wants loyal friends in the presidency around him. At one point in 2015, when the crisis was at its worst and the uprising was starting. There was reports of Ugandan Army and helicopters flying to secure his movement. Therefore, he had a useful measure and provider to secure Nkurunziza legitimacy. As well, as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission provided the technical aspects of the election. This was to show that the International Community, foreign forces had their stakes in the process. Still, it was more for show, than for what charade that was going on.
If all the violence and deaths, all the refugees and people in exile is showing. Is that Nkurunziza are controlling and taking advantage of his position. The use of Mpaka and EAC is also really a proof of Museveni, to not take alone ownership. But using the EAC as a mediator, but him giving way. Mpaka has been told who to invite and minutes to discuss. Therefore, the control from the government has ruled out any results or changes that would question the third term and also the rule of Nkurunziza.
This was bound to fail, because it was made to do so. Nkurunziza and Museveni, haven’t had any interests in other results or making accords in accordance with Arusha Agreement of 2000. They just wanted to secure the CNDD-FDD and Nkurunziza. To say something else, is just to lie or make a alternative story. With all the time passed and all the reports coming. There haven’t been any concessions or any significant proof of will, to divert or even discuss anything that would question the breaches of a third term and now a possible fourth. Peace.
Reference:
Uwimana, Diane – ‘Arusha: “There will be no agreement, declaration or binding document”, says Facilitator’ (07.12.2017) link: http://www.iwacu-burundi.org/englishnews/arusha-there-will-be-no-agreement-declaration-or-binding-document-says-facilitator/