The Ugandan army has deployed troops to Mahagi in northeastern DRC to combat local armed groups amid fears of escalating conflict. This deployment, requested by the Congolese army due to civilian killings by Codeco, reflects concerns over regional stability. Meanwhile, tensions with Rwanda persist as the M23 group has resumed its offensive in eastern DRC, raising the specter of renewed large-scale conflict.
The Ugandan army has deployed troops to Mahagi town in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to combat local armed groups as concerns arise about escalating conflict. On Sunday, Uganda’s Defense and Military Affairs spokesman, Felix Kulayigye, confirmed the troops’ entry into Mahagi, emphasizing their control over the town. The Congolese army requested this deployment following violent attacks by the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (Codeco), which allegedly resulted in the massacre of civilians.
Mahagi is located in Ituri province, near Uganda, where over 51 fatalities were reported on February 10 due to Codeco-affiliated armed groups. Codeco purports to protect the Lendu farming community against the Hema herders. Uganda maintains a military presence in various regions of Ituri under an agreement with the Congolese government, with a continuing joint effort to target the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels near the border.
Last month, Ugandan forces asserted control over Bunia, the capital of Ituri. The region, and in particular the provinces of North and South Kivu, are grappling with unrest, notably due to the M23 rebel group’s resurgence, which is supported by Rwanda and has recently captured significant areas, including the provincial capitals Goma and Bukavu.
In a related development, the DRC’s army contested claims of capturing 20 fighters associated with the Rwandan genocide. The Congolese military dismissed the handover video as fabricated, countering assertions from the M23 about seizing members of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). The DRC’s military labeled this incident as disinformation aimed at undermining their credibility.
Amid these tensions, analysts express concern over the potential for Uganda and Rwanda’s military engagement in eastern DRC to spark a recurrence of the Second Congo War (1998-2003), a catastrophic conflict involving multiple African nations that led to millions of deaths from violence and related humanitarian crises.
In summary, Uganda’s military engagement in DRC’s Ituri province is a response to local violence amid fears of broader conflict. The deployment aims to combat armed groups like Codeco, which threaten civilian safety. The geopolitical intricacies involving Rwanda and the resurgence of the M23 group add layers of complexity, raising concerns about a potential escalation reminiscent of past regional conflicts. The situation remains critical as regional powers grapple with their military roles in DRC.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
