The Ugandan army has deployed troops to Mahagi in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo to combat local militia activity amid escalating conflict concerns. This action follows a request from the Congolese army after violent attacks attributed to the Codeco militia, which represents the Lendu community. The broader regional crisis includes the M23 rebel group’s control over parts of eastern DRC, supported by Rwanda, raising fears of a wider conflict reminiscent of the historical Second Congo War.
On Sunday, the Ugandan army confirmed its deployment of troops to Mahagi, a town in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, to combat local armed groups amid concerns that ongoing conflicts could escalate into a wider war. In a statement to AFP, Uganda’s defense spokesperson Felix Kulayigye affirmed, “Our troops have entered Mahagi town and we are in control.” This military action follows a request from the Congolese army after reported massacres by the militia known as the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (Codeco), which aims to protect the interests of the Lendu farmers against the Hema herders.
The Ituri province, where Mahagi is situated, has seen significant violence, including an incident on February 10 that left at least 51 civilians dead from attacks attributed to Codeco. Uganda has previously deployed thousands of troops throughout Ituri as part of a bilateral agreement with the Congolese government. Furthermore, Uganda’s military is also engaged in operations against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in border areas, having recently declared control over Bunia, Ituri’s capital.
Tensions remain high, particularly as the M23, another armed group supported by Rwanda, has gained control of large portions of eastern DRC, including key cities like Goma and Bukavu. Concurrently, the Congolese army has denied claims regarding the capture of fighters linked to the Rwandan genocide, dismissing video evidence of their transfer to Rwanda as fabricated. This denial is part of a broader narrative that Rwanda utilizes to justify its military involvement in DRC.
Analysts express concern that the actions of both Uganda and Rwanda in eastern DRC may lead to a recurrence of the Second Congo War, a conflict from 1998 to 2003 involving multiple African nations that resulted in millions of deaths. The complex interplay of local militias, regional powers, and geopolitical interests continues to exacerbate instability and violence in the region.
As events unfold, the international community is urged to monitor the situation closely, recognizing the potential for a humanitarian crisis and the need for diplomatic resolutions to prevent further deterioration of peace in eastern DRC.
The deployment of Ugandan troops to Mahagi in northeastern DRC highlights the ongoing conflict involving local militias like Codeco and the geopolitical tensions exacerbated by the presence of armed groups such as the M23. The situation remains precarious, with fears of a potentially larger conflict similar to the Second Congo War. Observers stress the importance of international attention and diplomatic intervention to mitigate the humanitarian impact and maintain regional stability.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
