- Tensions escalate between Uganda and DRC over allegations of Ugandan support for M23 rebels
- Uganda denies involvement, emphasizes commitment to regional stability
- Uganda and DRC have joint operations against ADF rebels affiliated with Islamic State
Tensions between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have escalated as Kinshasa summoned Uganda's charge d'affaires, Matata Twaha Magara, over allegations of Ugandan support for M23 rebels. The allegations, contained in a recent UN Security Council report, claim "active support" from Ugandan military and intelligence officials for the M23 group, which has seized significant territory in North Kivu province since late 2021.
Uganda's charge d'affaires Matata Twaha Magara
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During his meeting with Congolese deputy foreign minister Gracia Yamba Kazadi on Friday, Magara firmly denied Uganda's involvement with the rebels. "Our position has been clear that in the East African community, we need to work together to flush all the negative forces that are disturbing us," Magara stated. He emphasized Uganda's commitment to regional stability, citing the joint operation with Congolese forces against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels, a group affiliated with the Islamic State.
The ADF, originally composed of mainly Muslim Ugandan rebels, has operated in eastern DRC for the past three decades, causing significant civilian casualties. Magara indicated that Kazadi sought clarity on the status of bilateral relations between the two nations during their discussions.
"Of course I assured her our bilateral relations are cordial," he said, adding that Uganda is still "waiting for the official communication from the UN office" to formally address the allegations.
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Uganda lambasts UN
Magara criticized the UN report, arguing that the involved countries should be given a chance to respond to the accusations before any public dissemination.
"The UN should give first the concerned countries the report so that they can respond to those accusations," he said.
The UN report, published on July 8, includes claims of 3,000 to 4,000 Rwandan soldiers fighting alongside M23 rebels in the DRC's mineral-rich east, displacing millions of people. It further asserts that Rwanda has "de facto control" over the M23 operations, an allegation that Kigali has denied.
As the situation develops, both Uganda and Rwanda face mounting scrutiny over their alleged roles in the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC. The international community is closely watching how these regional dynamics will impact the stability and humanitarian situation in the area.
