UPDF, Congolese forces move to stop ADF recruitment, training in next phase of DRC operation

The UPDF and FARDC will now shift focus on stopping the recruitment and training by the ADF in Eastern Congo in the next phase of Operation Shujaa, the army leadership has said.

Last week, the UPDF Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Wilson Mbadi met with his Congolese counterpart, Chief of General Staff, Gen Munsense Celestin in a bid to review the ongoing operation as part of the agreement that saw the Ugandan army enter DRC.

In attendance was the Governor of Ituri Province, Gen Nkashama Jonny, the Ugandan Ambassador to DRC, Eng. Kaliisa, Ugandan Commander of Operation Shujaa Maj Gen Kayanja Muhanga, UPDF Generals and senior officers of UPDF and FARDC.

The evaluation meeting noted several achievements since the start of the operation in November with the need resolve the insecurity prevailing in the province of Ituri.

The meeting stressed that the next phase of the operation will focus on neutralizing the enemy’s freedom of action and movement, hindering its recruitment and training drive, disconnecting the enemy’s communication and coordination network with other negative forces in the region, cutting off the enemy’s supply routes, securing more liberated areas thereby protecting civilians and enabling people to return to their homes.

The next phase will also include ensuring the safety of road works on Kasindi-Beni-Butembo and Bunagana-Rutshuru-Goma roads among others.

As part of the operation in Eastern Congo, the UPDF has captured ADF’s biggest camp, Kambi Ya Yua which housed over 600 fighters and measured over six acres.

The joint forces  have also killed and captured several rebel fighters and commanders to weaken the group which has since been designated as a terrorist outfit.

This has seen the rebels be on the run and scattered in smaller groups but these have become deadly carrying out attacks on villages in Eastern DRC.

The ADF was a few  years ago declared as a terrorist group in 2014 swore allegiance to the Islamic State, a radical Sunni military group that claimed responsibility for the recent twin bombings in central Kampala.

According to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, the ADF has used the name Madina at Tauheed Wau Mujahedeen (City of Monotheism and Holy Warriors—MTM) to emphasize its links to the Islamic State.

In 2019, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for an ADF attack and first referenced a “Central Africa Province.”