ISIS is Not Operating in DR Congo

There have been multiple reports indicating that ISIS is currently operating in Beni, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This follows the death of Congolese soldiers in Kamango, situated near the border between the DRC and Uganda.

The same propagandists allege that the “soldiers of the Caliphate” launched an assault on an army base in the village of Bovata, situated approximately 5 km (3 miles) from Kamango in the Beni region. They purport that this base was the site of a confrontation involving the use of small and medium weapons. Three members of the Congolese army were killed and five others sustained injuries.

The individuals disseminating this misinformation are the Congo Research Group, a project funded by the CIA. They have a history of fabricating reports that link the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) to mujaheddin groups.

Previously, the perpetrators were identified as al-Qaeda, then al-Shabaab, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, Boko Haram, the Taliban, and even Hezbollah. Currently, the perpetrators are believed to be ISIS.

Additionally, there are reports indicating that Rwandan opposition groups are working in collaboration with the Ugandan regime to disseminate propaganda, claiming that the ADF no longer exists. However, evidence suggests that the Rwanda Defence Forces are in fact utilising the ADF brand.

Subsequently, two individuals accused of facilitating financial transactions for ISIS, namely Waleed Ahmed Zein and Halima Adan Ali, were apprehended in Kenya. Colonel Kaka Bagyenda, Director-General of Uganda’s Internal Security Organisation, asserted that the pair were working for ADF, yet no evidence was provided to substantiate this claim. A significant investment of time and resources has been made in the investigation of the pair, yet thus far, no connection has been established between them and ADF.

Despite the fact that a militant appeared to pledge allegiance to the Islamic State and called on individuals to join them in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), The speaker affirmed, “I swear to God that this is Dar al-Islam [House of Islam] of the Islamic State in Central Africa.” No reference was made to the ADF.

It is evident that the ADF has become a convenient scapegoat for various failed regimes and criminal networks in the region, which are exploiting it as a propaganda tool. The regime of Yoweri Museveni, which has a history of criminality, has established its own ADF franchise in Congo, called ADF Kanyondo (Hammer), which is largely composed of remnants of the M23 rebel group. The ADF Kanyondo is led by Sheikh Yousuf Safari and Colonel Sultani Makenga serves as his deputy.

It is accurate to conclude that ADF Kanyondo utilises the Kinyarwanda, Swahili and Lingala languages. While the original ADF employs the use of Luganda and Lingala languages. In the ISIS video, the speaker exhibited a Kinyarwanda accent, rather than the Kiganda accent that one might expect.

Furthermore, it is important to note that opportunistic armed groups are also utilising the ADF brand to perpetrate criminal activities. Our sources have corroborated that the ADF Kanyondo franchise (the Ugandan-sponsored group) was responsible for the recent kidnappings of American tourists and their guide.

A logical and contextual analysis of the situation suggests that the original ADF would be unlikely to utilise the ISIS brand, as this would be counterproductive and would jeopardise the local support they have built up over time.

Nevertheless, the principal beneficiary would be the Ugandan regime, which would receive authorisation from the international community to proceed with the harvesting of conflict zones and the perpetrators of violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as it has done previously.

Furthermore, uncountable groups, such as the Congo Research Group, would receive increased funding for the dissemination of misinformation. Indeed, it is likely that there would be an increase in the trafficking of blood minerals to Uganda.

It is accurate to conclude that the security situation in Beni and Ituri remains fragile. However, it is essential to conduct a thorough investigation to gain a comprehensive understanding of the circumstances. Therefore, it is evident that ISIS lacks the capability to exert control over the region, as it is confronted with the presence of over ten lethal rebel groups (which have a strong footing in the area) that are acting in the interest of foreign entities and local chiefs.

It can be reasonably deduced that the individuals in question are opportunistic actors who are attempting to impede MONUSCO operations through the utilisation of ISIS-related tactics.

It would be prudent to provide MONUSCO with additional resources in the form of high-tech equipment, as this could prove effective in containing the situation.

In conclusion, the international community should exercise caution when evaluating media reports that may be sensationalising the situation to create a false impression. It is imperative that the FARDC-Congolese Army be trained and that local communities be empowered, as foreign military intervention has never been an effective solution.

Joram Jojo

Author
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Congo

Administrator at Virunga Mountains Observer

Democratic Republic of Congo, DR Congo

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