In the ongoing efforts to combat the notorious ADF Nalu terrorist group in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), joint military operations between the Congolese and Ugandan armies have yielded significant results. Recent reports confirm the targeted elimination of two high-ranking leaders within the ADF ranks.
The individuals, identified as “Doctor Musa” and “Commander Bagdad,” were reportedly neutralized in coordinated efforts near the northern region of Beni territory, situated at the border between North Kivu and Ituri provinces.
The operation, codenamed Shuja, represents a strategic collaboration between the Congolese and Ugandan armed forces to dismantle the ADF’s presence and curb its escalating attacks in the Beni and Irumu areas. Following recent deadly assaults attributed to the group, targeting civilians and destabilizing the region, intensified efforts were initiated to apprehend key figures within the ADF hierarchy.
While neither “Doctor Musa” nor “Commander Bagdad” are listed in the organizational structure of the ADF as outlined by UN experts in 2021, the clandestine nature of the group complicates a comprehensive understanding of its leadership and membership dynamics. This opacity underscores the challenges faced by security analysts in accurately assessing the group’s composition and operations.
However, military authorities leading the joint operation have identified these individuals as integral members of the ADF, linking them to known figures within the group such as Musa Baluku, purportedly the top-ranking leader of the Islamist movement in the DRC, and Lumisa Mohammed, a senior commander in his sixties. Both Baluku and Mohammed have been subject to US sanctions since 2019, underscoring their significance within the ADF hierarchy and the threat they pose to regional stability.
The successful elimination of these high-profile ADF leaders marks a significant milestone in ongoing efforts to dismantle the group’s infrastructure and mitigate the threat it poses to civilian populations in eastern DRC. However, challenges persist in fully eradicating the ADF’s influence, highlighting the necessity for sustained collaboration and vigilance among regional stakeholders in combating transnational terrorist organizations.