Weekly Analyst Review

12 May 2022

TRAC Insight:

The Coalition des Democrates Congolais

(Cooperative for the Development of Congo – CODECO)

Militia Attacks Village Operating Gold Mine, Kills Upward of 60, and Kidnaps 100, Djugu Area, Ituri Province, Congo (DRC)

Image:  Partial image of villagers standing over those killed in the attack

The Coalition des Democrates Congolais (Cooperative for the Development of Congo – CODECO) militia is an ethnic based group of the marginalized Lendu people. What once was a peaceful collective of farmers, the CODECO militarized and now operates as a loose affiliation of rebel groups operating in Ituri Province, Congo (DRC). On 08 May 2022, local sources reported that the CODECO militia targeted a gold mine in the Djugu area of Ituri Province. There is little information on the method of attack, but the assault is reported to have killed 60 people. The militia also kidnapped approximately 100 others, after burning a number of homes. Despite that the group reportedly called a cease fire on 01August 2020, in November 2021 TRAC noted that the group began operations again with an attack in Drodo Village. It should be noted that Islamic State Central Africa (ISCA/ISCAP) is also active in the province, and it is possible that the groups compete for resources and territory in the area. Results of this 08 May 2022 attack were circulated on an Islamic State supporter’s Telegram channel, showing that the Islamic State has an interest in CODECO’s operations.

TRAC Incident Report:

Granite State NSC 131 Crew Follow Someone They Believed to be an Antifa Counter-Protest Organizer and Smash Car Window in Manchester, New Hampshire

Image: NSC 131 Propaganda Poster "Lessons Learned From May Day" – 03 May 2022

On 01 May 2022, 131 Crew / NSC 131 (National Socialist Club) held a protest to honor “May Day” in Manchester, New Hampshire. When met with counter-protests, the Granite State chapter decided to record the license plates of the counter protesters and followed who they believed to be an ANTIFA / Anti-Fascist Action counter-protest organizer. When the person stopped their vehicle, the NSC 131 members proceeded to threaten the unidentified person and smashed the driver’s side window. Increasingly, NSC 131 members are moving from simple threats and harassment of the general public to physical altercations. The fact that they were operating surveillance and were willing to stalk a perceived enemy should be of grave concern.

TRAC Incident Report:

Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM)

Nighttime Prison Break Frees At Least 60 Inmates in

Nouna, Kossi Province, Burkina Faso

Image: Aftermath photo of burned motorcycle by JNIM.

On the night of 07/08 May 2022, under the cover of darkness, Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) fighters breached the walls of the Nouna Prison, dispersing guards with gunfire, and breaking down the doors of the cells. Oddly, none of the prison staff were injured during the assault on the prison that freed more than 60 inmates. The fact that not a single guard was hurt during the prison break suggests either incompetence or insider assistance at the Nouna Prison. Though it is unknown who exactly was freed, the fact that 60 inmates are now at large and assumedly under the protection of JNIM, should be of grave concern. Unlike a lot of Burkina Faso, Nouna is the capital of Kossi and as such, has a much more solid infrastructure like electricity, running water, land-line telephones, and cellular phones, than the rest of the country.

Claim:

American Anarchist Claim 08 May 2022 Vandalism Attack on Atlas Technical Consultants in Solidarity with Atlanta Forest Defenders, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

TRAC Incident Report:

Suspected Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) Cross-Border Attack On A Togolese Army Base, Killing 10, Representing New Expansion into Northern Togo

Video:

Islamic State West Africa (ISWA): Triple Execution of 20 Christians, Borno State, Nigeria