President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has approved the extension of Operation Shujaa, a joint military effort between Uganda and the DRC aimed at combating the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in the eastern part of the country.
The decision was announced during a meeting held on Saturday at the President’s office in Kinshasa. The meeting was attended by the Ugandan Ambassador to the DRC, Mr. Farid Kaliisa; the commander of Uganda’s Land Forces, Lt. Gen. Kayanja Muhanga; and top Congolese military leaders led by Gen. Christian Tshiwewe, the Chief of Staff of the Congolese army (FARDC).
In a statement from the FARDC, President Tshisekedi was reported to have given clear directives aimed at enhancing military cooperation between the two nations. “This approach is part of joint operations against the ADF, aimed at restoring peace and security in the region,” the statement read.
Operation Shujaa began in December 2021, when Uganda’s People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) launched air and artillery strikes on suspected ADF bases in eastern DRC. The ADF, which has been linked to several deadly attacks, including bombings in Kampala, has operated in eastern DRC since 2007 after being driven out of Uganda.
The joint operation was initiated to neutralize the ADF, accused of carrying out terror attacks that have killed over 200 people since 2001. Uganda blames the group for recent bombings in Kampala and attacks on the Kampala-Masaka Road that left six people dead.
Lt. Gen. Kayanja, accompanied by Maj. Gen. Richard Otto and Brig. Gen. Abdul Rugumayo, met with their Congolese counterparts to review the progress of Operation Shujaa. Following the meeting, Congolese Defence Minister Guy Kabombo briefed President Tshisekedi, who approved the continuation of the joint effort.
Security sources view the meeting as a significant step in strengthening military ties between Uganda and the DRC, with plans to train soldiers to maintain the operations in the region. Uganda’s Director of Defence Public Information, Brig. Gen. Felix Kulayigye, welcomed the development, emphasizing the importance of cooperation between the two nations. “That is what we have been praying for,” he remarked.
The extension of Operation Shujaa is expected to further bolster efforts to combat the ADF and restore stability to the troubled Ituri region.