Ugandan Army Troops Deployed to Northeast DR Congo Amid Rising Conflict
The Ugandan army has deployed troops to Mahagi town, DRC, to combat local armed groups following a request by the Congolese army amid fears of escalating conflict. This action is in response to recent violence attributed to a militia group, Codeco, which has claimed to represent local farmers. The situation is exacerbated by the presence of the M23 rebel group, supported by Rwanda, enhancing regional tensions and fears of broader warfare.
The Ugandan army has deployed troops to Mahagi town in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), following local armed groups’ violent actions. Felix Kulayigye, Uganda’s defense and military spokesperson, informed AFP that their forces are now in control of the area. The deployment, which was requested by the Congolese army, comes amid concerns regarding increasing tensions that could lead to broader conflict.
Mahagi town is located in Ituri province, bordering Uganda, and has recently witnessed significant violence, including the deaths of 51 civilians on February 10 from militia attacks linked to the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (Codeco). This group asserts that it defends the Lendu community’s interests against the Hema community, predominantly composed of herders.
Uganda has a substantial military presence in Ituri under an official agreement with the DRC government and is also involved in a joint effort to combat the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels near the Ugandan border. Prior to the recent deployments, Uganda proclaimed it had secured Bunia, the provincial capital of Ituri.
Ituri lies adjacent to North and South Kivu provinces, which have recently come under control of the M23 rebel group, a faction reportedly supported by Rwanda. The M23 has captured significant territory in eastern DRC, including important cities such as Goma and Bukavu. DRC authorities have denied accusations regarding the capture of fighters linked to the Rwandan genocide, describing recent video evidence as fabricated.
Rwanda has historically cited the alleged presence of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) in DRC as justification for its involvement with M23. Congolese military leadership has dismissed claims about the handover of FDLR fighters to Rwanda, branding the event as an orchestrated attempt to discredit their army.
There are rising concerns that the growing military engagements of Uganda and Rwanda in the eastern DRC might precipitate a recurrence of the Second Congo War (1998-2003), a conflict that involved multiple African nations and resulted in substantial humanitarian crises.
In summary, the recent deployment of Ugandan troops to Mahagi is a response to escalating violence from local militias in northeastern DRC, notably after tragic civilian casualties. Continued military actions by both Uganda and Rwanda raise fears of a potential larger conflagration reminiscent of the past devastating conflicts in the region. The complex dynamics of community conflict and regional military involvement require careful examination to avert further escalation.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
