Monthly Counter-Terrorism Intelligence Brief for East and Central Africa (Somalia, Mozambique, and DR-Congo): Tracking Islamic State Terrorists For October 2023

INSIDE:

In October intelligence reveals a concerning escalation of activities by Islamic State affiliates in Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR-Congo), Uganda, and Somalia. In Mozambique, ISM militants utilized diverse tactics, including armed assaults and the exploitation of food vouchers, highlighting their adaptability. SADC emphasized the importance of regional information sharing to counter terrorism effectively.

DR-Congo faced persistent attacks by ISCAP militants, leading to joint FARDC-UPDF operations and the release of hostages. The Uganda-DRC border remained a hotspot, emphasizing the need for sustained collaboration. Uganda experienced an increasing threat from ISCAP, with attacks on Christians and intercepted mail bombs. President Museveni’s collaborative approach and military responses reflected an acknowledgment of the multifaceted nature of the threat.

Somalia faced a continuous threat from Islamic State Somalia, evident in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack. The overall security landscape necessitates a comprehensive, coordinated approach involving military, intelligence, and regional cooperation. The region must address root causes, enhance intelligence-sharing, and foster collaboration among affected nations to effectively counter the evolving terrorist threat.

Incident Report:

MOZAMBIQUE

• 2nd Oct: ISM militants targeted a Mozambican Armed Forces Patrol with an IED on the road into Unidade, Macomia District.
• 3rd Oct: ISM conducted an armed assault targeting Christians in Calungo and Narere Villages in Mocimboa da Praia district.
• 4^th Oct: Rwandan Security Forces (RSF) safely disposed of three IEDs along the Mbau-Limala road.
• 13th Oct: ISM militants conducted an armed assault, killing two between Ilala and Chai, Macomia.
• 15th Oct: ISM militants kidnapped and executed a Christian in Chibanga (Chiquimba), Mocimboa da Praia.
• 15th Oct: ISM militants targeted a Mozambican & Rwandan forces patrol with an IED between Narere & Nanquidunga in Mocimboa da Praia.
• 16^th Oct: Insurgents captured at least five people in the Macomia and Mocímboa da Praia districts of Cabo Delgado
• 18th Oct: ISM conducted an armed assault on Christians in Chinda Village, Mocimboa da Praia, the insurgents burned houses and vehicles and looted food.
• 20^th Oct: Two people were kidnapped outside Litandacua village in Macomia as they were returning from fishing at Lake Nguri.
• 25^th Oct: Around 40 ISM insurgents attempted a boat landing north of Pemba on the evening of 25 October but aborted due to the increased presence of security forces.

THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

• 27th Oct: ISCAP militants launched an armed assault on Christians and clashed with Ugandan Military on the RN4 in Kasindi, Beni Region, North-Kivu Province.
• 22nd Oct: ISCAP militants led an armed assault on Christians in Ndama, North Kivu.
• 22nd Oct: ISCAP conducted a large-scale nighttime armed assault, killing 27 Christians and burning several houses in Oicha City, Beni, North Kivu Province.
• 22nd Oct: ISCAP militants launched a nighttime armed assault targeting the village of Mangazi, Beni Region.
• 18th Oct: ISCAP militants carried out an armed assault targeting Christians in Bango North Kivu.
• 14th Oct: ISCAP militants led an armed assault on Congolese Security Forces in Kamungu, Ituri.
• 9th Oct: ISCAP militants led an armed assault on Congolese Military Forces in Kamungu, Ituri.
• 4th Oct: ISCAP militants led an armed assault on civilians in Mangusu and Kidepo, Ituri.

UGANDA

• 18th Oct: ISCAP militants ambushed Christians in Katulu, Bundibugyo District, Uganda.
• 15th Oct: Ugandan Police intercepted two suspected ISCAP mail bombs delivered to churches in Kibibi, Butambala District, Uganda.
• 12th Oct: ISCAP militants ambushed Christians in Kinyamaseke, Kasese District, Uganda.

SOMALIA

• 6^th Oct: Islamic State Somalia’s Improvised Explosive Device (IED) targeted a Somali Police vehicle near Fagah [Fakah] Intersection in Mogadishu, Somalia.

ANALYSIS

Mozambique:

In October, intelligence revealed that ISM terrorists in Cabo Delgado were obtaining food vouchers from families supported by the various Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in MDP. This was revealed after several members were arrested with the vouchers. The food products are the same every month, leading families to become tired of consuming the same foods, prompting them to sell vouchers to diversify their diets. Terrorists take advantage of this situation by sending their logistics personnel to buy these vouchers, collect food products, and transport them to their hideouts.

Southern African Development Community (SADC) calls for information sharing to counter terrorism

SADC has emphasized the importance of proactive information sharing among member states to effectively counter the global security threat of terrorism. Colonel Mumbi Mulenga, the Coordinator of the SADC Regional Counter Terrorism Centre (SADC-RCTC), urged member states to transcend nationalistic approaches and adopt a regional strategy in addressing terrorism. He emphasized that terrorism knows no boundaries and that the success in countering the threat relies on timely and reliable sharing of information, encompassing aspects such as the movement of foreign terrorist fighters, financing of terrorist activities, and suspected acts of terrorism. While only two member-states currently face terrorism challenges (Northern Mozambique and Eastern DR Congo), the center has seen success in deploying the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) to neutralize and defeat terrorists in the affected regions. The appeal for information sharing extends to preventing spillover effects and promoting proactive activities such as border management to monitor movements of potential threats and address recruitment and radicalization issues.

ISM Seek out the Trust of Residents

In October, insurgents in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province were reportedly attempting to gain the trust of local residents in some areas. Intelligence reveals that they promised non-violence and requested protection and food from the public in exchange for not attacking residents. This strategy aims to establish a level of cooperation with the local population.

The town of Pangane in Macomia, Cabo Delgado, has been particularly targeted by these insurgents, causing panic among residents who had returned after fleeing initial attacks. The insurgents are said to ask for protection, food, and information about government forces and other threats. This approach is creating fear among the population, hindering agricultural activities, and disrupting the livelihoods of the people, including fishermen who are now afraid to go out to sea.

Tanzania:

In October, the UK and France issued travel advisories, cautioning against non-essential travel to southern Tanzania, particularly the border with Cabo Delgado, due to an increased risk of terrorist attacks. The French government has also warned of potential jihadist threats in Mtwara, as well as in Palma and Mocimboa da Praia. HUMINT in Mtwara reported heightened security measures in Mtwara indicate potential intelligence suggesting a threat in the area.

The heightened security presence in Mtwara underscores the seriousness of these concerns, potentially based on intelligence indicating a specific threat in the town. This situation highlights the need for increased vigilance and collaborative efforts between nations to address and mitigate the evolving security challenges in the region.

D.R. Congo

Hostages released by Congolese military

At least 150 former hostages ISCAP were released and rejoined their families in several localities in the territory of Mambasa, Ituri province between October 27, and October 28. These ex-hostages were released by the army starting from the beginning of September, during military operations against the ISCAP in the territory of Irumu, near the border with the province of North Kivu.

FARDC-UPDF operations against ISCAP and Destruction of 3 Strongholds

Civil society in Mamove, Beni territory, called for an escalation of joint FARDC-UPDF operations against ISCAP in response to recent attacks that resulted in casualties. ISCAP is reportedly moving from Ituri province to the Beni territory in North Kivu, carrying out attacks against civilians.

The FARDC and UPDF reported destroying three ISCAP strongholds in the Walesse Vonkutu chiefdom in Irumu territory. Combat aircraft were used to bomb rebel positions, leading to the disarray of the rebel forces. The destruction was a win for the civilians in the region who have been suffering at the hands of the militancy who launch attacks from their camps in the forest.

UGANDA

The city of Kasindi in the Beni territory, located on the border with Uganda, was attacked by ISCAP insurgents. The attackers targeted a parking lot for large vehicles in the Congo ya Sika district, where truckers had parked. Two drivers, including a Somali, were shot dead during the attack. Two Ugandan soldiers lost their lives in the intervention that followed.

The repeated attacks by ISCAP in the city of Kasindi underscore the persistent security challenges along the Uganda-DRC border. The involvement of Ugandan soldiers in the counter-response indicates the cross-border collaboration between the Congolese and Ugandan militaries in addressing such security threats. The situation calls for sustained efforts and increased collaboration between the two nations to effectively combat the root causes and sources of instability along their common border.

On October 15, 2023, two bombs potentially planted by members of the ADF were discovered. According to Ugandan authorities, these explosives were intended to be placed in churches in Kibibi, Butambala. On October 17, 2023, a tourist couple and their driver were tragically killed in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda. The incident took place around 6 p.m. on the dirt road from Katwe to Kabatooro. This attack was attributed to ISCAP fighters.

The recent attack in Uganda by ISCAP indicates a concerning trend of increasing attacks by the terror group in Uganda, with a notable escalation in military responses from the Ugandan government. The situation demonstrates a complex security challenge that transcends national borders, as the ISCAP operates in both the DRC and Uganda. The repeated nature of the attacks, as evidenced by both the assault in Kasindi and subsequent operations near the Ugandan border, underscores the persistent threat posed by the ISCAP.

ISCAP’s ability to carry out attacks, including incidents involving explosives in Uganda and the tragic killing of a tourist couple, highlights the group’s resilience and adaptability. While the Ugandan government, led by President Yoweri Museveni, has responded with military offensives, deploying attack helicopters and fighter-bombers to target ISCAP camps the overall threat by ISCAP cannot be ignored.

President Museveni’s emphasis on collaborative efforts involving the military, police, and citizens to counter the ISCAP suggests a recognition of the multifaceted nature of the threat. The involvement of ISCAP in attacks beyond conventional military targets, such as planting bombs in churches and targeting civilians in national parks, further complicates the security landscape. The situation calls for sustained regional cooperation between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as enhanced intelligence-sharing and coordinated efforts to address the root causes of the insurgency.

CONCLUSION

• The counter-terrorism situation in East and Central Africa, specifically in Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR-Congo), Uganda, and Somalia, presents a complex and evolving challenge. In October 2023, the Islamic State affiliates, namely ISM in Mozambique and ISCAP in DR-Congo and Uganda, continued their campaigns of violence, targeting both military and civilian populations.
• In Mozambique, ISM militants demonstrated a multifaceted strategy, including armed assaults, IED attacks, and attempts to gain the trust of local residents. The exploitation of food vouchers obtained from families supported by NGOs highlighted the group’s adaptability and exploitation of local dynamics. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) stressed the importance of information sharing among member states to effectively counter terrorism, emphasizing a regional strategy and proactive measures.
• In DR-Congo, ISCAP militants carried out multiple armed assaults on Christians, clashed with military forces, and released hostages in Mambasa. The joint FARDC-UPDF operations against ISCAP, resulting in the destruction of three strongholds, showcased efforts to address the insurgency. The persistent attacks along the Uganda-DRC border underscored the need for sustained collaboration to combat the root causes of instability.
• Uganda faced an escalating threat from ISCAP, with attacks on Christians, intercepted mail bombs, and a tragic incident in Queen Elizabeth National Park. President Museveni’s emphasis on collaborative efforts and military responses indicated a recognition of the multifaceted nature of the threat. The involvement of ISCAP in attacks beyond conventional military targets highlighted the need for sustained regional cooperation and intelligence-sharing.
• In Somalia, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) targeted a Somali Police vehicle, indicating the continuous threat posed by Islamic State Somalia.
• The region’s security landscape demands a comprehensive and coordinated approach, involving military, intelligence, and regional cooperation. The challenges presented by the terrorist groups require not only reactive measures but also a proactive focus on addressing root causes, intelligence-sharing, and fostering collaboration among affected nations.