Update on ADF/ISCAP Commander Abwakasi Mouhammad
Health Concerns
On Saturday, November 23, 2024, Commander Abwakasi Mouhammad, the head of ADF/ISCAP (Allied Democratic Forces/ Islamic State's Central Africa Province) operations, established his headquarters north of Bango town in the Banade-Kainama groupement, Beni-Mbau sector, Beni territory. Abwakasi, who is recovering from injuries, has temporarily settled in the Bango area to rest, as advised by his doctor, due to a bomb fragment wound on his left arm that is showing signs of cancer. According to sources, Commander Abwakasi was injured during an attack by soldiers from Operation Ushujaa in the Mambasa territory.
He was evacuated to the Manguredjipa area in the Lubero territory by his deputy, Zacharie alias Bonge La Chuma, who is currently operating in the Biakato area.
The decision to evacuate Abwakasi to Manguredjipa was strategic, allowing his doctor to reach him from Butembo with necessary medications.
The installation of Abwakasi's men in the Banande-Kainama groupement is expected to facilitate the supply of food and non-food items by his civilian collaborators with minimal obstacles.
Planning to increase attacks
To establish a strong presence in Kainama, Abwakasi's men plan to increase attacks and ambushes on the Oicha-Kamango, Luna-Komanda axes, and the surroundings of Mayangose, near Beni. Abwakasi aims to create a corridor to maintain a link with the Haut-Uele through Ituri while staying close to supply zones to ensure their survival. The Bango area, near the Ugandan border, provides a strategic reinforcement corridor from Uganda to Haut-Uele, where the ADF/ISCAP leader recently established his base.
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A Fragile Ceasefire in Eastern DRC
Amid ongoing violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), two nearly identical statements released on April 23, 2025, announced an immediate ceasefire. One was signed in Goma by a member of the rebel group AFC/M23—someone not even officially part of the delegation—and the other was issued by the Congolese government in Kinshasa.
Ituri Under Surveillance
Rising Security Concerns The political fragmentation in eastern DRC continues to threaten the fragile stability of Ituri. The failure of the Doha process and the breakdown of the republican pact could pave the way for a new wave of unrest in the region. On April 22, 2025, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, met with leaders of the Lendu militia CODECO (Cooperative for the Development of the Congo) in Entebbe. Officially, the meeting was convened to address CODECO’s attack on Ugandan military positions in Ituri, a confrontation that adds to past clashes between the group and the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF). Key Figures and Discussions The CODECO delegation, led by Dunji Kulukpa Etienne (Vice President of the Lendu community), included political and militant representatives. On the Ugandan side, top-ranking officials participated: • General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, CDF • Lieutenant General Kayanja Muhanga, Land Forces Commander • Major General Felix Busizoori, Commander of the 4th Infantry Division • Brigadier General Oscar Munanura, Deputy Assistant Chief of Intelligence and Security Earlier in the week, CODECO leaders had already engaged with Ugandan military commanders. During the Entebbe meeting, Mr. Dunji expressed gratitude for Uganda’s reception and apologized for the Fataki clashes between CODECO and the UPDF. He claimed the militia had been influenced by external forces and emphasized that the Lendu, Balega, and Bahema communities do not view Uganda as an adversary. Dunji also highlighted Ituri’s worsening humanitarian crisis, attributing it to political divisions, while praising Uganda’s contributions in healthcare, refugee assistance, and economic aid. Uganda’s Expanding Influence in Ituri General Kainerugaba reaffirmed Uganda’s historical presence in North Kivu and Ituri, citing counter-insurgency operations dating back to the early 2000s. He urged CODECO leaders to collaborate with the UPDF in pursuit of a lasting peace. As a demonstration of goodwill, Ugandan forces provided free medical care to wounded CODECO fighters. Strategic Implications: A Larger Agenda? While Uganda frames this meeting as a step toward reconciliation, analysts at African Security Analysis suggest a deeper motive. They argue that the gathering was part of a broader effort to integrate CODECO into the militant coalition led by Thomas Lubanga, potentially setting the stage for coordinated offensives in Ituri, particularly targeting Bunia. If confirmed, this would signal a significant shift in the security landscape, with Uganda deepening its influence in Ituri under the guise of conflict resolution. The region remains under scrutiny as stakeholders assess the evolving dynamics.
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