Mozambique
- 16th Jan- at least 200 houses were burned by insurgents in Limwalamwala village in Nangade district.
- 15th Jan- at least three Christians captured and beheaded by militants in Zambezia, Macomia District.
- 13th Jan- ISCAP militants attacked Macaloe Island in Macomia district
- 12Th Jan- Kitukia village, Meluco attacked by terrorists with at least 20 houses razed to the ground.
- 12th Jan- Insurgents targeted the Pitolha village located near Muaguide, Meluco destroying several homes by arson.
- 11th Jan- at least 60 houses burned, residents ran out of the villages by ISCAP militants in Sitati village in Meluco.
DRC
- 20th Jan- ISCAP militants killed one person and shot another in an attack that left several homes burned and looted in Lubano and Ndama villages in the Rwenzori sector, Beni.
- 12th Jan- at least 7 people were killed and several others missing after an attack in Kisima, Rwenzori sectors that also included the looting of property. The victims were stabbed to death as they were en route to their fields.
ANALYSIS
Southern African bloc extended the Mozambique troop deployment while still acknowledging that the troops are faced with various challenges. The challenges are not limited to the allied troops but as well as the local Mozambican troops all need a lot of support including logistical support, intelligence, sufficient air support, sufficient numbers, and enhanced synergy between all stakeholders. The extension was agreed to be until April with an approved budget of $29.7 million which means that there is an unlikely chance to increase the number of deployed troops. While the extension is a welcome development in the CT operations, it is crucial to note that the extension is not nearly enough to make any major gains seeing as major bases and leaders are yet to be captured. The gains being made by the allied troops are nowhere near permanent eradication of the militancy evidenced by the recent resurgence of attacks in the Meluco, Macomia, and Nangade districts.
Mozambique ISCAP continues to pose challenges as it appears to have changed tactics and broken into smaller cells that have been attacking villages and retreating to avoid engagement with security forces. As evidenced by the data herein, it is clear that the attacks have few to no casualties as they are supply runs coupled with psychological warfare that is meant to scare residents into vacating and leaving their homes for occupancy by the militants. The original attacks that included arson have made a comeback and as evidenced in the past it is meant to clear out areas and routes for the easy movement of the militants as well as the establishment of camps and bases.
In DRC more than 25 ISCAP terrorists were killed and over 40 hostages rescued by the FARDC in southern Irumu, precisely on the Komanda-Luna axis. These rebels fell, while others abandoned their positions during “large-scale” military operations, announced the spokesman for the army in Ituri.
A key commander of ISCAP in DRC identified as Benjamin Kisokeranio was arrested as he attempted to cross into Burundi. Benjamin has been identified as being in charge of intelligence, finance, and supply for the group and has been wanted for the past five years. Intelligence indicates that he has been a close ally of the leadership and has been responsible for facilitating the movement of prominent figures in the insurgency.
In January 2022 UPDF and FARDC launched the second phase of their operations against ISCAP rebels in eastern DRC. Maj Gen Muhanga Kayanja, who is the overall commander of Operation Shujaa says they have now transited into a phase where they will pursue the terrorists by into their hideouts. The collaboration between the two militaries has shown a significant reduction in the number and frequency of attacks especially in Beni with several major bases captured and dismantled.
