New ADF command, funders revealed Jamil Mukulu The rebels get funding from UK citizens of Ugandan origin through contacts in Uganda and Rwanda. KAMPALA- A new report reveals the transformation of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), its new command structure, funders and recruitment networks, which the UN experts have described as “well-organised and key to the rebels’ survival”. The investigative report by the United Nations panel of experts on Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) released early this month, says it had found no credible evidence linking ADF to any international terror group such as al-Qaeda, Boko Haram and al-Shabaab, either through funding or training, contrary to what has been often claimed. The experts’ report shows ADF operational bases straddle eastern DR Congo, stretching through Oicha, Beni, Butembo, Goma, Bukavu and Uvira, and runs eastward through Uganda and Rwanda. Internationally, the ADF networks extend to the UK. As of November 2014, these networks remained largely intact, according to the UN experts. ADF is led by Jamil Mukulu, who is on Interpol’s wanted list, and he is deputised by Sheikh Musa Baluku. The UN reports says ADF has since tactfully split into two groups; one under Mukulu and another under Baluku after Congolese forces raided their bases in May 2014. The UN findings are part of compiled evidence obtained from interviews with former ADF combatants who either surrendered or were captured, and from data the rebels left behind when they were smoked out of their bases in eastern DR Congo. Rebels’ source of funding The report reveals that some Ugandans in United Kingdom send financial support to ADF through electronic money transfer systems. The report also mentions a female UK citizen of Ugandan origin living in London, as one of the major senders of funds to ADF agents in Goma and Beni in eastern DRC. According to the report, another 17 people sent funding in 21 electronic money transfers to Yusufu Shabani Majuto, a top ADF agent between June 2013 and June 2014. The UN shows that London is the sending point for the money. The backers were sending less than $600 (about Shs 1.7m) to evade detection and capture of their records since money transfers of less than $600 in UK do not require the sender’s bio-data to be captured. The report states that the ADF agents travel to Rwanda and Uganda where they get financial assistance from their local contacts. The UN experts say although the ADF has weakened, it has not been defeated and could regroup and rebuild as it has always done whenever its commanders survive military offensives. “Since ADF commanders are not typically involved in combat operations, most have survived the battles of 2014. In addition, ADF recruitment, support and finance networks have not been significantly affected,” the report reads in part. The UN operations in DR Congo had decimated ADF strength from 2,000 personnel to around 200 by November 2014, the UN experts said. They recommended to the UN Security Council to ask the governments of DR Congo, UK, Uganda and Rwanda to investigate ADF funders. “…the Governments of the DRC, Rwanda, Uganda and UK [should] investigate the individuals identified in this report who are involved in the financing, material support and recruitment networks of ADF, and take appropriate action to end support by those individuals to this sanctioned entity,” the UN experts recommended. Mr Fred Opolot, the spokesman of Foreign Affairs ministry, who confirmed to have read the report, scoffed at it saying delinking ADF from foreign terrorist groups is a misrepresentation. “I do trust the security of Uganda and they have an impeccable record. To contradict people who are on the ground is a misinterpretation. It isn’t true that ADF isn’t linked to foreign terrorists,” Mr Opolot said.
Posted on: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 07:39:27 +0000
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