The plan by the Uganda government to hunt down the Allied Democratic Forces from their hide outs in the Eastern Congo has reached final stage after obtaining a formal green light from the Congolese government.
On Sunday, a security source revealed that Congolese, President Felix Tshisekedi had considered the request and granted permission allowing UPDF troops to enter the country’s war-ravaged region to conduct combat operations against the rebels blamed for carrying out terrorism in the region.
According to a source, the permission is yet to undergo blessing from the Congolese senate.
According to Agence France-Presse (AFP) report on Sunday, Antipas Mbusa Nyamuisi, a local spokesman for the Nande ethnic group confirmed that Uganda People’s Defense Force was given the “formal” green light to hunt down ADF fighters on Congolese soil.
A European diplomat confirmed the news, telling AFP: “We have been informed via our regular channels that President Tshisekedi has authorized Ugandan troops to cross the border to fight the ADF.”
According to two diplomatic sources in Kampala, Ugandan forces are already preparing to deploy in the eastern DRC to fight the ADF.
“Congolese and Ugandan officers are already working every day under the Joint Operations Centre set up for intelligence exchange,” a Congolese government source told AFP.
The president of the Defense and Security Commission of the National Assembly, Bertin Mubonzi also confirmed to Radio France Internationale that he has been informed of the presidential decision.
President Yoweri Museveni recently said that Uganda is committed to hunting down ADF rebels from Eastern DRC.
‘‘The plans and orders for killing our people are coming from the terrorists in Eastern Congo. We are continuing to discuss with HE Felix Tshisekedi about eliminating that cancer,” he said.
He urged those (ADF) in hiding to surrender and face prosecution, and in addition, called on the public to be vigilant.
**Agencies.**