Ugandan Troops Deploy to Mahagi, DRC Amid Rising Conflict Tensions

The Ugandan army has deployed troops to Mahagi, DRC, to counter local armed groups amid fears of escalating conflict. This military action follows significant civilian attacks by the militia Codeco, which claims to protect local interests. M23 militants, backed by Rwanda, have also been expanding, contributing to regional tensions. The situation raises concerns about a potential larger-scale war.

The Ugandan army has confirmed the deployment of troops to Mahagi, a town in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, in response to the escalating violence from local militia groups. Felix Kulayigye, Uganda’s defense spokesman, stated, “Our troops have entered Mahagi town and we are in control,” emphasizing the objective of combating armed groups responsible for recent civilian massacres.

This military action follows requests from the Congolese army amid concerns over increasing atrocities by the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (Codeco), which has inflicted significant civilian casualties, including a recent attack that killed 51 people. Codeco claims to represent the Lendu community’s interests in conflicts with the Hema community.

Uganda maintains significant military presence in Ituri province under a cooperative agreement with the Congolese government, as well as a joint initiative targeting the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). Additionally, Uganda recently announced that its forces had taken control of Bunia, the provincial capital of Ituri.

The regional situation is further complicated by developments involving the M23 armed group, which has gained control of large areas in eastern DRC, including key cities such as Goma and Bukavu. Amidst this turmoil, the DRC’s army has denied allegations of capturing fighters linked to the Rwandan genocide, referring to an alleged handover video as a fabrication intended to discredit them.

The ongoing instability, highlighted by Rwanda’s support for the M23, raises concerns that Uganda’s and Rwanda’s involvement could ignite a renewed large-scale conflict similar to the Second Congo War. Analysts fear such a repetition may lead to severe humanitarian consequences, including widespread violence, disease, and famine.

In summary, the deployment of Ugandan troops to Mahagi is a significant response to escalating violence from local militias in northeastern DRC. The military actions stem from a request by the Congolese army amid grave concerns over civilian safety. Additionally, tensions surrounding the presence of armed groups and regional complexities indicate risks of larger conflict, which could severely impact stability in the wider area.

Original Source: www.rfi.fr