DRC: Army Reaffirms Commitment to Recapture Occupied Areas
Members of the Democratic Republic of Congo Army. Photo: EFE
July 16, 2024 Hour: 3:06 pm
According to Radio Okapi, the Beni region is currently dominated by two armed groups: in the south by the M23 and in the north by the ADF.
On Tuesday, the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) reaffirmed the will and commitment to recover rebel-held territories in North Kivu province.
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The deputy chief of the General Staff of the army and in charge of operations and intelligence, Major General Jacques Ychaligonza Nduru, assured civil society members in Beni, Butembo and Lubero the day before that they will reconquer the areas occupied by the March 23 Movement (M23).
He also said they will put an end to the actions in the province of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a group affiliated with the Islamic State.
According to Radio Okapi, the Beni region is currently dominated by two armed groups: in the south by the M23 and in the north by the ADF.
This situation mobilized some of the main figures in the military command, as the deputy chief of staff of the Congolese army has been on the ground since last Friday, where he inspected the military system in different localities and spoke with representatives of the civilian population.
Jacquemain Shabani, the deputy prime minister and head of the interior, also travelled to Butembo, in North Kivu, where he called on the population to maintain hope and continue to have confidence in the government and the army.
Shabani referred to the recent National Defense Council convened by President Felix Tshisekedi, where the strategy to change the current situation was outlined.
The Interior Minister, during his visit to the province, addressed the support and supervision that the government should provide to the local fighters, called Wazalendo, and said that these “patriotic volunteers” will be able to count on special attention.
This is a controversial issue within the country, as some of these armed groups are accused of extortion, looting, violence and arbitrary arrests, among other abuses.
Autor: OSG
Fuente: The Independent-DW
