DR Congo, Ugandan Troops To Launch Big Offensives Against ADF Rebels

Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo are planning a big military operation against Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in the eastern DR Congo in the next two days, following repairs on the road linking the two countries.

The bad state of the road at the Nobili border had impeded serious military operations since the two countries started military action against the ADF on Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021.

“Work on the road is evolving very well between the military engineering corps of the two armies namely the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and the Ugandan  Defense Forces (UPDF),” Capt. Anthony Mwalushayi, spokesperson of the DR Congo army told journalists in Beni, North Kivu on Friday.

“There are troops already positioned in several rebel bastions bombarded on Nov. 30 when Ugandan air force planes and artillery pounded sites identified as bases of the rebel ADF,” said the army spokesperson, adding that “as we have problems with roads, it is better to finish with this problem in order to move forward once and for all.”

He estimated that the remaining work on the road would be through in 48 hours to make the 80 kilometre section linking Nobili to the locality of Mbua, which passes through the most northern part of the big Virunga National Park passable.

Four years ago, 15 Tanzanian soldiers attached to the United Nations Blue Helmets were killed by ADF rebels in an attack on their base in this part of the park in Semuliki.

The ADF is accused by the Kampala government of being responsible for recent attacks on its territory claimed by the Islamic State.

Implanted in eastern DR Congo since 1995 near the border with Uganda, the ADF is considered in Congo as the most murderous of the armed groups operating in eastern DR Congo and which is responsible for the massacre of thousands of civilians.

After the bombardment of several of their bases on Nov. 30, 2021, Ugandan troops began entering the DR Congo through Nobili.

Equipped with heavy vehicles, the Ugandan troops were confronted by the bad state of the road and  decided to repair the road to give them better access to ADF bases. 

While the work has been going on, the UPDF has installed an advance base in Mukakati, just before the entrance into the Virunga National Park.

“You surely have seen that wherever we pass, there is always a Ugandan or Congolese soldier. That shows that there is true friendship, collaboration and the willingness to confront and finish with the ADF, ”Capt. Mwalushayi declared.