DR Congo, Uganda Agree To Commence Joint Military Operations Against ADF Rebels

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda have agreed to begin joint military operations against rebels of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in eastern DR Congo.

Though the decision is yet to be officially announced, it was arrived at during meetings between President Felix Tshisekedi of the DR Congo and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and their military experts.

The decision which has been in gestation over several months was accelerated following the recent attacks on the Ugandan capital, Kampala in which four persons were killed.

Four Somalis and several Ugandan accomplices have since been arrested in connection with the attacks which have been claimed by the Islamic Republic Central African Province which the ADF is claimed to be affiliated to. 

“These seem to be terrorist acts, but we will find the authors,” President Musoveni had declared after the Kampala attacks, adding that “the population has no reason to fear, we will defeat this criminality as we have defeated others committed by pigs who do not respect human life.”

During an interview with France 24 in September this year, the Ugandan president had expressed his intention to send Ugandan troops to DR Congo.

“Yes, the problem in Mozambique is linked to the problem in the east of DR Congo. These terrorists passed through eastern DR Congo before arriving Mozambique,” he had said. 

“The problem in Eastern DR Congo must be solved at the same time as that of Mozambique. We can contribute at any moment. We would like to start with DR Congo. The problem of Mozambique will not be resolved if we don’t find a solution to the Congolese crisis.”

“We have always been ready to help if the Congolese government authorizes us. We are discussing it with them. It is for the DR Congo government to announce it but we have been discussing it with them,” President Musoveni added.

The green light has now been given for the operations to commence and the United Nations has been duly informed. Both countries are believed to work  the modalities to be employed during the operations to be worked out.

Kinshasa and Kampala have become very close since DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi came to power. Besides security issues, accords have been signed between the two countries notably for the construction of roads on three principal highways in DR Congo on the initiative of President Yoweri Musoveni of Uganda.

Work on the project was launched in mid June this year by the two heads of state at the border post of Kasindi.