The two military forces signed a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) that also provides for the expansion of the intervention zones to the Mambasa territory in Ituri province, and the territories of Djugu, Irumu, Mahagi, and Aru, also affected by the presence of other armed groups.

Lieutenant-General Banza Mwilambwe Jules, Chief of Staff of the DRC Armed Forces, and Army General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Commander of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF), reaffirmed the parties’ commitment to strengthening military cooperation.

As part of the new agreement, the joint intelligence team will continue to operate, and joint security will extend to the rehabilitation works on the Kasindi-Beni-Butembo highway.

The military leaders met in Kinshasa last week and signed the memorandum on Friday, June 20. The results of the meeting were announced by Major General Sylvain Ekenge, spokesperson for the DRC Army, on Saturday.

Operation Shujaa, the name given to the joint actions of the Armed Forces of both countries, was launched on November 30, 2021, to neutralize the Ugandan-born ADF, accused of massacring hundreds of civilians in the DRC and perpetrating attacks in Uganda.

abo/iff/mem/kmg