The Ugandan army has deployed troops to Mahagi town in northeastern DR Congo to combat local militias, following a request from the Congolese army due to recent civilian massacres. Codeco, a militia involved in these attacks, has sparked regional tensions, compounded by the M23 group’s control in neighboring provinces, raising fears of wider conflict. Analysts worry that increasing military presence from Uganda and Rwanda could repeat past wars in the region.
The Ugandan army has confirmed the deployment of troops to Mahagi town in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo to combat armed groups amid rising concerns of escalating conflict. This action follows a request from the Congolese army due to recent alleged massacres conducted by the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (Codeco), which is accused of attacking local civilians. According to Felix Kulayigye, Uganda’s defense spokesman, “Our troops have entered Mahagi town and we are in control.”
Mahagi, located in Ituri province near the Ugandan border, witnessed the death of at least 51 individuals in early February due to attacks by Codeco, which claims to represent the Lendu community’s interests against the rival Hema community. Uganda maintains a significant military presence in ituri under agreements with the Congolese government and has previously declared control over Bunia, the provincial capital. Additionally, Ugandan forces collaborate on missions against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in regions adjacent to the border.
The situation in eastern DRC is complex, with the M23 anti-government group, allegedly supported by Rwanda, having taken control of several areas in North and South Kivu provinces. M23 recently reported capturing fighters from the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. However, the Congolese military has denied these claims, denouncing a video of the alleged handover to Rwanda as “faked.”
Rwanda has used the purported presence of the FDLR as justification for its support of the M23 group. The Congolese army has criticized these allegations as a strategy to undermine its credibility, asserting, “This is part of the Rwandan strategy to justify the invasion of parts of the DRC’s territory.” There are concerns among analysts that the involvement of Uganda and Rwanda in eastern DRC may lead to a recurrence of the destructive Second Congo War.
The Ugandan army’s recent deployment to Mahagi town illustrates growing military involvement in eastern DRC amid humanitarian crises and escalating conflicts. The collaboration with the Congolese army follows grave incidents of violence attributed to local militias. Furthermore, the complex geopolitical situation, particularly with Rwandan involvement, raises fears of a repeat of historical conflicts in the region. Vigilance and international diplomatic efforts are essential to prevent further instability.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
