The Ugandan army has deployed troops to Mahagi, northeastern DRC, to address violence by the Codeco militia. This move follows significant civilian casualties and stems from requests by the Congolese army. The DRC is experiencing increased military activity, with issues surrounding the M23 rebel group and heightened tensions involving Rwanda. Analysts express concerns regarding the potential for broader conflict in the region.
The Ugandan army has confirmed its deployment of troops to Mahagi, a town in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), due to demands from the Congolese army in response to reported civilian massacres by the militia Cooperative for the Development of Congo (Codeco). According to Uganda’s defense spokesman, Felix Kulayigye, the troops have taken control of the town, aiming to combat local armed groups amidst rising concerns of an escalating conflict.
This deployment follows a tragic incident on February 10, when armed men linked to Codeco killed at least 51 individuals in Ituri province, which borders Uganda. Codeco claims to represent the Lendu community, primarily composed of farmers, in conflicts against the Hema community, mainly herders. Uganda already maintains a military presence in Ituri under an agreement with the DRC government, alongside efforts to counter the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels near its borders.
Last month, Uganda also declared it had established control over Bunia, the capital of Ituri. The regional dynamics are complicated further by the influence of the M23 group, which has recently captured significant territories in the DRC, including major cities like Goma and Bukavu, amid accusations of Rwandan support for their operations.
Additionally, on Sunday, the DRC army rejected claims that they captured 20 fighters linked to the Rwandan genocide, labeling a video of their alleged transfer to Rwanda as fabricated. This assertion was made in response to M23’s announcement that they had apprehended fighters from the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a militia originally formed by Hutu extremists.
Rwanda has often cited the presence of the FDLR in the eastern DRC to justify its interventions, particularly its support for the M23. The Congolese armed forces have described the situation as an orchestrated effort by Rwanda to undermine DRC’s military credibility and a pretext for further military incursions. Experts are warning that both Uganda and Rwanda’s increasing involvement in the region may provoke similarities to the catastrophic Second Congo War, which resulted in millions of deaths and widespread humanitarian disasters.
The recent deployment of Ugandan troops to Mahagi signals an escalation in military efforts to combat local militia violence in northeastern DRC, particularly in response to Codeco’s attacks on civilians. The situation remains precarious, as regional tensions fueled by groups such as M23 and foreign military involvements, particularly those of Uganda and Rwanda, pose significant risks of larger conflicts reminiscent of the past. Continued monitoring of the situation is critical to prevent further destabilization in the region.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
