The FARDC (Congo Army) had taken responsibility for dealing with the Islamic ADF, but with civilian causalities growing and the population in fear, little progress was evident. After seven civilians were hacked to death yesterday by machete in north east North Kivu near Semuliki Park, Monusco (UN) stepped in with helicopter gunships and aggressively attached ADF positions. 12 rebels and 4 FARDC soldiers have been killed with some reporting over 30 killed amid fierce fighting. A Monusco soldier from Malawi was reported among the dead. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the ADF attacks.

It would be interesting to be a fly on the wall to understand the dynamics between the FARDC and Monusco as there has been considerable tension between them. Monusco has reorganized themselves to be a stronger and more intentional fighting force from African countries whereas they had been heavily comprised of soldiers from Muslim Asian countries and totally ineffective. I suspect that Monusco was (finally) actually itching for a fight after watching the ongoing civilian atrocities. Hopefully they will keep up the pressure and soon eliminate the ADF altogether.

South African Rooivalk Attack Helicopters Deployed in North Kivu

South African Rooivalk Attack Helicopters Deployed in North Kivu