Kujengan Bush Militias

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The Udzungwa mountain range of central [Kujenga] is home to a number of violent gangs and militias. The most prominent are the Waaminifu Boys and the Antivurugu Militia. These groups often align themselves with an ethnic group or religious ideology, but their actions often betray this alignment. Bush militia groups are consistently involved in vicious territorial fights with little regard for the safety of local Kujengans. Constant fighting makes travel through the area dangerous–particularly at night. Bush militia groups and affiliated gangs routinely engage in banditry, raids, poaching, kidnapping, and drug trafficking and smuggling to sustain themselves. Fighting over illicit mining operations is particularly brutal. Travelers and young men from local villages are routinely kidnapped and forced to work in these dangerous operations.

Claimed Operating Areas of Kujengan Militias

Bush militias generally operate in groups of less than 50 personnel, but may muster 200 fighters or more for larger operations. They are usually armed with a variety of small arms and improvised weaponry. Sub-groups or affiliated gangs may have light trucks or stolen vehicles modified into technical vehicles. Base camps and mining sites are likely to be heavily guarded, with active surveillance and counter-mobility measures. Members may communicate via networks of runners, satellite phones, shortwave radio, or the internet when available. While generally independent and focused on their own goals, it is alleged that some bush militias and gangs have been recruited by both state and non-state actors.

The Waaminifu Boys

The Waaminifu Boys ("The Faithful"), known locally as "The Fu" are a loosely-affiliated militia, fighting in the southern Udzungwa Mountains of central Kujenga. While composed primarily of Christians and presenting their message in mostly Christian language, mainstream faith leaders and congregations dispute the character of these groups. These groups are blamed for numerous incidents of ethnic cleansing in foothill villages near their declared territories. There are also reports that some members of Waaminifu groups have forcibly converted Muslims to Christianity and killed those who resisted. The prevalence and brutality of these militias increased as the Kujengan government instituted a crack-down on a range of extremist groups over the last decade. During the government’s push, the Waaminifu’s limited capability was allegedly aided by elements of the Army of Justice and Purity (AJP). While such an aggressive northward projection of force into the Kujengan interior would be unusual, the AJP’s leadership might have seen it as an opportunity to consolidate control.

Antivurugu Militia

The Antivurugu (lit. "Against violence") is an Islamic militia fighting in the northern Udzungwa Mountains of central Kujenga. This militia developed from disaffected Muslim youth reacting to the rise of the violent Christian militias and guerrillas to the south. While originally an ultra-religious movement, the group rapidly developed the brutality that typifies similar groups in the region. Many of the large-scale attacks conducted by the Antivurugu are punitive reactions to atrocities of the Waaminifu Boys or other local militias and gangs. Perceived territorial probing may be met with a disproportional response.