21948 – Africa Research Bulletin
Two weeks earlier, the jihadists overran
a military base in nearby Yobe state. On
July 14th, jihadists believed to be loyal
to Boko Haram factional leader Abu
Mus’ab Al-Barnawi raided a base in Jilli
village. Dozens of troops were said to
have been killed or missing.
The sophisticated attacks underline the
threat Boko Haram still poses despite
repeated military claims that the group
have been defeated.
Yan St-Pierre, counter-terrorism advisor
and head of the Berlin-based Modern
Security Consulting Group, suggested
the attacks could be because Boko
Haram fighters are vying for control of
the Abubakar Shekau-led faction.
Shekau re-emerged in a new video in
July after a long absence that fuelled
speculation about his health and ability
to lead the Islamist militants. He
appeared unwell but made no direct
mention of his health or reports from
June that he had several serious health
complications.
Eight people were killed at a mosque in
the Mainari area of Konduga, Borno
state on July 23rd when a suicide bomber
detonated his explosives. The attack bore
the hallmarks of the Shekau faction.
The previous week, at least six traders
were killed when a convoy of lorries
under military escort were ambushed in
Borno state near the border with Camer-
oon. There have also been a number of
attacks on military convoys and bases in
Borno and neighbouring Yobe state,
with undisclosed casualties. (© AFP
24,27,29/7 2018; The Guardian, Lagos 24/7)
The army said its troops had killed 16
terrorists on July 27th and recovered arms
and ammunition in Mairari village, Mun-
gono Local Government Area, Borno
State. One soldier and four civilians were
also injured during the operation.
Meanwhile army chief of staff Lieu-
tenant General Tukur Buratai said the
process of importing weapons was ham-
pering the military’s fight against insur-
gency, while hinting at efforts to ensure
local production of weapons. (The Sun,
Lagos 30/7)
A special court set up in Kainji, Niger
State to try terrorism-related cases has
sentenced 113 Boko Haram members to
jail for terrorism. (Leadership, Abuja 12/7)
Chibok Arrests: Eight men have been
arrested in connection with Boko Har-
am’s abduction of more than 200 school-
girls from Chibok in 2014, police said on
July 18th. The eight were among 22
suspected members of the group
detained in the remote region after an
investigation. The 14 others were alleged
to have been involved in logistics and
planning suicide bomb attacks. All the
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suspects were paraded at a news confer-
ence in the Borno state capital, Maidu-
guri. Borno state police commissioner
Damian Chukwu said the men – all from
the Bama area of Borno state – were
arrested in Borno and neighbouring
Yobe. All eight had confessed to their
involvement, he added.
Two men have already been sentenced to
20 years and 30 years in jail for their part
in the abduction. (© AFP 18/7 2018)
RWANDA
New Rebel Group?
The authorities deny knowledge of any
activities linked to the movement.
A new rebel movement has claimed
responsibility for the recent wave of
attacks in Rwanda and announced its
intentions to topple the government of
President Paul Kagame by force of arms.
The group, which calls itself, the
National Liberation Forces (NLF),
accuses Kagame of dividing the nation,
suppression of civil liberties, amending
the constitution to stay in office, harass-
ment of political opponents, and failing
to address poverty, starvation and mass
unemployment.
A statement issued by the so-called
Rwandan Movement for Democratic
Change (RMDC) said it had created
the NLF to put an immediate end to the
dictatorial power of the ruling Rwandan
Patrtiotic Front (RPF), and it would
use all possible means, including the
armed struggle, to drive the RPF out of
power since it had refused all peaceful
ways.
ChimpReports understands RMDC is
led by Paul Rusesabagina, a wealthy
Rwandan humanitarian who, while
working as a house manager at the
Hotel des Mille Collines in Kigali, hid
and protected 1,200 Hutu and Tutsi
refugees from the Interahamwe militia
during the Rwandan genocide. Rus-
esabagina was praised for shining a
spotlight on the crimes committed by
the genocidal regime. He would later
turn his guns on Kagame, accusing the
president of human rights abuses.
NFL claimed responsibility for July 1st
attacks in Nyaruguru (southwest, about
100km from the capital, Kigali). In their
statement, the new rebel movement said
they had carried out attacks in Cyan-
gugu, Nyamagabe, Nyaruguru, Buge-
sera and Huye, adding, “everywhere
the soldiers of Kagame suffered casu-
alties.” Rwandan officials said they were
not aware of armed attacks in the
aforementioned areas apart from Nyar-
uguru.
National Security
President Kagame in mid-July warned
saboteurs of tough times ahead, saying
Rwanda was prepared for war if
imposed on his country. (Chimp Reports
16/7)
Genocide Life Sentence Overturned: A
linguistics professor’s life sentence and
conviction for direct involvement in
Rwanda’s 1994 genocide has been over-
turned but his nine-year sentence for
downplaying the bloodshed upheld, his
lawyer said on July 21st.
Former trade union official Leopold
Munyakazi, 67, was cleared of direct
involvement by the Rwandan High
Court’s Chamber of International
Crimes on the 20th, but his conviction
for using his academic work to down-
play the impact of the bloodshed was
confirmed by appeal judges.
Munyakazi, from Gitarama in central
Rwanda, has consistently denied partic-
ipating in the genocide. The academic
was extradited from the United States
(US) to Rwanda in 2016 to face justice
after a lengthy legal battle over his failed
asylum application and subsequent
deportation order.
Munyakazi had argued that the genocide
allegations were concocted and that he
was really being prosecuted for opposing
the regime of President Paul Kagame.
(© AFP 21/7 2018)
SOMALIA
Military Camp Attacked Again
Security forces are accused of abetting
jihadist attacks.
Somali soldiers repelled an attack by al-
Shabaab militants on the Bar-sanguni
military base in the Lower Jubba region
on July 23rd, though the militants tem-
porarily seized a section of the camp,
according to the government.
“Al-Shabaab took control of a section of
the camp,” said Acting Information
Minister Adan Isaac Ali, who spoke on
government-owned television. “We sent
more troops from the surrounding areas
to support others in the camp, and they
were successful in repulsing the al-
Shabaab attack.
“We have lost six fighters . . . and we
have killed 87 militants,” he said.
Somali military officials said the mili-
tants first attacked the camp, which lies
some 40km (24 miles) north of regional
capital Kismayo, with two vehicles full
of explosives, then followed with gunfire.
The officials say the first explosion killed
five soldiers.
Al-Shabaab spokesman Abdiaziz Abu
Mus’ab said militants killed 27 soldiers
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July 1st–31st 2018
Senegal
First Mass Terrorism Trial
Makhtar Diokhane, the alleged leader of a
jihadist cell, was handed a 20-year term
with forced labour on July 19th in Sene-
gal’s largest terror-related trial, which also
saw 14 suspects acquitted. Alioune Ndao,
who had been accused of acting as coor-
dinator, received a suspended one-month
sentence.
Diokhane was found guilty of criminal
conspiracy to commit terrorist acts while
Ndao was convicted for possessing a
weapon without authorisation. Three
other defendants were sentenced to 15
years in jail with forced labour; six were
given 10-year terms; and three were given
five-year sentences. Fourteen defendants,
including two of Diokhane’s wives, were
acquitted.
The proceedings in a Dakar court, which
started on April 9th, are believed to have
been the first mass prosecution for alleged
terror activities in Senegal. The majority-
Muslim West African state has so far
escaped major terror attacks.
The 29 suspects, three of them women,
were accused of criminal conspiracy
related to financing a terror group, money
laundering, acts of terrorism and funding
terrorism. Most were arrested in 2015 in
Senegal, which prosecutors said was their
planned springboard to foment terrorism
in neighbouring countries including The
Gambia, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau as
well. (© AFP 19/7 2018)
on a base “which the Americans built for
the apostate militias.”
VOA (24/7) quoted security expert
Richard Tuta as saying al-Shabaab
would sacrifice everything to attack a
military base. “They are signaling to the
military guys, ‘Look, we have the capac-
ity, and we can come for you’ . . . even if
its suicidal for them.”
In June, al-Shabaab attacked the same
camp with mortars, killing an American
soldier.
Armed fighters on July 28th raided an
Amisom military base in Araba’ow area
near Elasha Biyaha village outside
Mogadishu. The attack, believed to have
been carried out by al-Shabaab, sparked
fighting between the attackers and the
Amisom troops at the base, Shabelle
Media Network reported (29/7).
Several mortars were fired on July 30th at a
military helicopter ferrying supplies as it
was landing at a military base in the
Ambareso area near Barawe town (south).
The helicopter took off without delivering
the supplies. Three soldiers, two Somalis
and a Ugandan were confirmed to have
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been killed, according to Swedish-based
Somaliweyn website (30/7).
Meanwhile Shabelle Media Network
reported (22/7) a Somali government
official as saying that more forces were
being deployed to Beledweyne city, the
regional capital of Hiraan (centre) after
attacks that left several people dead. The
move came after al-Shabaab killed an
elder for participating in the electoral
process of the current Somali lawmakers
during the 2016-2017 parliamentary elec-
tion. Beledweyne, which is a strategic
town which lies just some 350km north
of Mogadishu, is largely protected by
Somali troops backed by Djibouti peace-
keepers.
Mogadishu Attacks
At least 10 people were killed in the
capital, Mogadishu, on July 14th fol-
lowing twin car bombings and a heavy
gunfight near the presidential palace,
pro-Puntland government Garowe
Online reported (14/7).
Three Shabaab gunmen were shot dead
on after exchanging fire with security
forces outside the palace, AFP reported,
although other reports said five of the
attackers had been killed.
Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for
both attacks, which came a week after
two similar attacks on the Interior min-
istry compound killed at least 15 people.
Later in the month, a series of targeted
assassinations took place in the space of
24 hours in Mogadishu where at least
seven Somali soldiers were killed by
gunmen, Shabelle Media Network
reported (26/7). Al-Shabaab claimed
responsibility.
Mogadishu has seen a rise in targeted
killings, according to Dhacdo news web-
site (26/7). It said that on the 26th alone
several people were killed in separate
incidents in the city. The website said
some attribute the rise in killings to the
withdrawal of Mogadishu Stabilisation
Force soldiers from the city’s streets, and
that there were no security forces present
on most of the capital’s streets.
The National Union of Somali Journal-
ists condemned, in the strongest terms
possible, the murder of a Somali jour-
nalist in Mogadishu on July 26th, the
latest in a series of attacks against the
media. A policeman at a checkpoint near
Peace Garden, Hamar Jajab neighbour-
hood shot Abdirasaq Qasim Iman twice
in the head. Abdirasaq Qasim Iman
worked with London-based SBS Somali
Broadcast Service TV as a cameraman
and technician.
The security situation of journalists
seemed to be improving in the first half
of 2018, but this is now a major setback
Africa Research Bulletin – 21949
to Somalia’s media development, said
Hiiraan (26/7).
Meanwhile Islamic State group (IS)
claimed the killing of six policemen in
Mogadishu on July 2nd. A statement via
the messaging app Telegram said the
police officers were targeted by an IED
at a checkpoint near Bakaara junction.
It was IS’s fourth claim of attack in
Mogadishu in a week.
IS termed Somalia a wilayah, meaning
official branch or province, in the latest
issue of its weekly newspaper al-Naba.
Prior to this, the group had reported its
regular activity in Somalia using just the
country’s name, despite having boasted
since late 2015 about receiving pledges of
allegiance from militants there. How-
ever, it is still unclear if the name change
is an actual upgrade in status for the
Somalia affiliate or an editorial blunder
by al-Naba.
In 2018, IS has been claiming steady
low-profile attacks in Somalia. Between
January 1st and June 30th, the group
said it carried out 27 attacks in the
country, most of which have been “as-
sassinations” of police or security per-
sonnel, Telegram reported (27/7).
Spy Forces ‘Merged’ with Police
Senior officials from Somalia’s security
agencies have come under strong criti-
cism that they facilitate al-Shabaab’s
attacks on key government installations
in Mogadishu. The attack on July 7th
targeting heavily-guarded headquarters
at Otto Otto added to the suspicion
already held by many that al-Shabaab
fighters and Somalia’s national security
agencies have merged, which makes it
easy for the militant group to carry out
suicide explosion attacks on key targets.
Privately-owned Radio Simba (9/7)
quoted Colonel Abdirisaq Yusuf Afrah
as saying there was collaboration
between Somali security commanders
manning checkpoints in Mogadishu
and the Shabaab fighters who stormed
the headquarters of the Interior and
National Security ministries. He sug-
gested that the police, intelligence, and
military chiefs resign if they could not
identify those within the security agen-
cies who were working with al-Shabaab.
Minister of Security Mohamed Abukar
Islow recently told the media that over
30 officers that have been detained over
suspicions of involvement in the Otto
Otto attack. Those detained were man-
ning security checkpoints near the centre
where the ministries of Internal Affairs
and Security are based.
On July 16th, Somalia’s spy chief Hus-
sein Osman Hussein sacked his two
deputies amid concerns that al-Shabaab
had spies close to the intelligence
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21950 – Africa Research Bulletin
agency’s top leadership. There were
contradictory reports on the reasons
for their sacking, which was done at a
time when President Farmajo was
abroad attending the Brussels confer-
ence (see p.21955).
Some initial reports indicated that the
officials were sacked due to corruption
and the embezzlement of funds. Others
claimed that the sacked officials are
thought to have been involved in the
recent attacks on areas close to the
presidency, Villa Somalia, Garoweonline
reported (20/7).
Meanwhile a reshuffle of senior security
officials has seen the National Intelli-
gence and Security Agency (NISA)
forces operating in Mogadishu dis-
solved. The forces, which had been
actively taking part in security opera-
tions in the capital, have now been
merged with the regular police, pri-
vately-owned Radio Kulmiye website
reported (29/7). Some reports say the
remaining members of the NISA forces
will be working in secret as intelligence
agents.
Sadaq Omar Hassan aka Sadaq John,
who was the commander of NISA forces
in Mogadishu, has been appointed the
commander of the police in the capital.
Meanwhile, the former commander of
the police in Banadir region has now
been appointed chief of the traffic police
in the region.
Garoweonline reported (24/7) that chaos
seemed to reign in NISA after the office
of its deputy chief was raided by uniden-
tified attackers on July 21st. Reports
said important documents were missing,
though it was not clear who was behind
the raid and what kind of documents are
missing.
The Parliamentary Committee on Secu-
rity and Internal Affairs held a question
and answer session on July 29th with the
Security minister and the intelligence
chief in Mogadishu, Dhacdo reported
(30/7). It said it believed that those
carrying out targeted killings and bomb-
ings in Mogadishu live in the city, and it
was important that residents flushed out
those responsible for the lawlessness
from their midst.
Somaliland – Puntland Land War?
The self-declared republic of Somaliland
and autonomous Puntland are locked in
a standoff over Sool and Sanaag areas,
leading to deadly clashes since the start
of 2018 after both sides massed soldiers
in the contested areas.
The International Crisis Group (ICG)
said the military standoff could escalate
as troops are moved close to Tukaraq, a
town that straddles a highway and trade
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corridor linking Sool and Sanaag to
eastern Ethiopia.
A confrontation could be disastrous for
northern Somalia and risks contributing
to instability across the country by
playing into the hands of al-Shabaab
or even the small IS branch in Puntland.
“War is still avoidable, but to forestall it
both sides need to take a step back, dial
down their rhetoric and allow for medi-
ation led by the UN,” said the think
tank in a briefing titled Averting War in
Northern Somalia.
Recommendations include the UN
renewing mediation with the Ethiopia
and Somalia governments. The scope
covers initiating peace in the disputed
areas and has to involve clerics and local
clan leaders, to bridge divisions and curb
violence. Priorities are brokering a cease-
fire, ensuring both sides commit to
withdraw troops in the contested
regions, allowing in humanitarian aid,
reducing inflammatory rhetoric and con-
ducting future talks to resolve the dis-
pute, The EastAfrican reported (16/7).
A Somaliland soldier was killed follow-
ing an exchange of fire between Puntland
and Somaliland forces in Tukaraq, pri-
vately-owned Radio Risala website
reported (21/7). Several other soldiers
were also wounded in the clashes on the
21st.
Puntland regional state president Abdi-
weli Muhammad Ali Gaas accused the
Somaliland administration of being
responsible for the clashes in some parts
of Sool region, Radio Shabelle reported
(18/7).
Meanwhile armed men entered Galkayo
town and shot dead a former Puntland
administration security commander
identified as Abdirashid Hasan Hashi
on the night of July 27th as targeted
attacks against Puntland administration
officials increase. Al-Shabaab claimed
responsibility. (Sources as referenced in
text) Al-Shabaab ‘getting lucky, not stronger’
p. 21910
SOUTH SUDAN
‘Preliminary’ Power-sharing
Document
Serious doubts remain over the latest
peace initiative.
South Sudanese arch-foes on July 25th
signed a “preliminary” power-sharing
deal aimed at ending the civil war, with
a Sudanese minister saying it sees rebel
leader Riek Machar reinstated as first
vice president.
Khartoum, as part of regional efforts to
end the conflict in South Sudan, has
hosted a round of peace talks since June
National Security
between warring leaders President Salva
Kiir and Machar.
The rival groups have already agreed on
a permanent ceasefire and withdrawing
of their forces from civilian areas. On
July 7th they agreed on a power-sharing
deal but its signing was delayed due to
differences over its contents.
The “preliminary” deal sealed on July
25th should be followed by a final one
on August 5th, Sudan’s Foreign Minis-
ter Al-Dierdiry Ahmed said at the signing
ceremony in Khartoum witnessed by
journalists.
“The power-sharing document has been
signed and it addresses all pending issues
during the transitional term,” said
Ahmed.
“Salva Kiir will continue as president of
South Sudan and Riek Machar will be
the first vice president,” he said. “There
will be four other vice presidents shared
between other political groups.”
Once a final peace deal is signed it will
give the foes three months to form a
transitional government under the new
format, which will then hold power for a
further 36 months.
Ahmed said one issue that still needed to
be resolved was how to share power at
the level of regions and counties, adding
that some opposition groups had refused
to sign the document but discussions
were continuing.
The July 25th deal stipulates that there
will be 35 ministers in the transitional
government – 20 from Kiir’s group and
nine from Machar’s, while the rest will
represent other groups. The parliament
will be comprised of 550 lawmakers,
including 332 from Kiir’s group and 128
from Machar’s faction. Ahmed said an
independent commission would also be
formed to decide on the number of
provinces in the country.
Kiir’s group welcomed the preliminary
deal, saying it was a “great achieve-
ment.”
“We have brought peace to the people of
South Sudan,” South Sudan Informa-
tion Minister Michael Makuei told
reporters after signing of the accord.
Some opposition groups refused to sign
the document on the 25th. “There is
inconsistency in the responsibility shar-
ing formulae which is objectionable and
cannot be entertained,” the groups said
in a joint statement.
The latest peace initiative has been
pushed by regional East African leaders,
but Washington raised doubts over it
after South Sudanese lawmakers
extended the present government’s term
in office earlier in the month.
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