The preliminary meeting between military experts from the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) in Kinshasa is attracting increasing interest in the current context of the fight against armed groups in the east of the country. This meeting, chaired by Ychalingoza Nduru Jacques, Deputy Chief of General Staff of the FARDC, is of paramount importance in the context of the implementation of the directives emanating from the meeting between Presidents Félix Tshisekedi and Yoweri Museveni in Kampala.
The eradication of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) is the main objective of Operation Shujaa launched last November. This armed group is spreading terror and committing numerous atrocities in eastern DRC, and its dismantling is crucial to restoring peace and security in the region. The progress made so far in this joint operation is encouraging, with the dismantling of several rebel strongholds in Beni and Ituri.
However, despite this progress, the recent upsurge in ADF attacks remains a concern. This violence, initially concentrated in Beni, has spread to Lubero territory, resulting in significant civilian casualties. It is imperative that the Congolese and Ugandan authorities strengthen their collaboration and coordination to effectively counter the threat posed by armed groups operating in the region.
In parallel with these military efforts, a Congolese parliamentary delegation led by Lambert Mende Omalanga travelled to Uganda to discuss the security situation in eastern DRC. This diplomatic mission aims to assess Uganda’s commitment to the pacification of the Ituri and North Kivu regions. Solidarity and regional cooperation are essential to jointly address the security challenges that threaten the stability of the region.
The conclusions of the meeting between FARDC and UPDF military experts will be presented shortly to the FARDC Chief of Staff. This step marks a significant step forward in the coordination of operations and the planning of future actions to effectively combat armed groups in eastern DRC.
Ultimately, the security situation in this region remains complex and requires a multidimensional approach involving military, diplomatic and humanitarian efforts. The international community must also provide increased support to the Congolese and Ugandan authorities to ensure the protection of civilian populations and the stability of the region.