The DR Congo Minister of Defense Charles Mwando, has indicated that his government has started a military offensive against the Uganda rebel groups of Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and the National Army for the Liberation of Uganda (NALU) on the DR Congo side of the Rwenzori Mountains.

DRC President, Joseph Kabila

Mwando says that the offensive is aimed at neutralizing the Ugandan rebel groups because they are harassing the population of Eastern Congo province of North Kivu and causing unnecessary insecurity.

The offensive against Ugandan rebels in DR Congo follows commitments by the two countries to pacify each other’s borders. The commitments were made between the Governments of DR Congo and Uganda and the United Nations Mission in DR Congo.

The Uganda ADF rebels are responsible for killings and abductions of hundreds of people and thousands of displacements in Western Uganda during the 1990’s and early 2000 when they were still active in the country launching their attacks from the Uganda Rwenzori Mountains.

Another Uganda rebel group, The Lords Resistance Army (LRA) led by Joseph Kony are also based in Northern DR Congo where they have killed and abducted thousands of people and displaced tens of thousands.

In December 2009, the Congolese army together with the armies of Uganda and South Sudan, launched an offensive against the rebel group but only succeeded in weakening them.

Also see

ADF Still a Threat, Says Army Official

Seven LRA, ADF rebels granted amnesty

Uganda should have right to invade neighbour DR Congo

Former Uganda rebel group seen regrouping in Congo

Solomon Akugizibwe, Ultimate Media