By Burnett Munthali
The Ugandan army has deployed troops to Mahagi, a town located in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
This move is part of ongoing efforts to combat local armed groups operating in the region.
The primary target of this deployment is the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (Codeco), a militia group accused of committing atrocities in the area.
Uganda’s military spokesperson, Felix Kulayigye, confirmed the deployment, emphasizing that the operation was initiated at the request of the DRC army.
The request for Ugandan troops came in response to massacres allegedly carried out by Codeco, which resulted in the deaths of at least 51 people in February.
Codeco, which is a militia group, claims to protect the Lendu community, largely made up of farmers, from the Hema community, primarily herders.
The Lendu and Hema communities have been engaged in a long-standing conflict, with militias like Codeco emerging as key players in the violence.
Uganda already maintains a military presence in other parts of Ituri province, which borders Uganda, as part of an agreement with the DRC government.
This agreement allows Uganda to deploy its forces in support of the DRC’s efforts to stabilize the region and counter armed group activities.
In addition to the latest deployment in Mahagi, Ugandan forces have also claimed control of Bunia, the provincial capital of Ituri, as of last month.
The presence of Ugandan forces in the region has been seen as a strategic effort to curb the influence of various armed groups, including Codeco.
Uganda’s involvement in the DRC follows a complex history of cross-border military operations, with both countries working together to tackle regional insecurity.
The military intervention is viewed by some as essential in restoring order in a region plagued by militia violence and instability.
However, questions remain about the long-term effectiveness of such interventions and the broader implications for regional peace and security.
Information for this report was sourced from AFP, providing an overview of the current situation in northeastern DRC.
Source: Voice of America
