By Ronald Nahabwe
Kampala: The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) under the guidance of United Nations Military Council is to head the unity forces to flush out the rebel groups in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that destabilize the stability, peace and development of great lakes region.
This was revealed by Hon. Adolf Mwesigye the
Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs in a meeting with Mr Youssef Mahmoud
and his team from the High Level Independent Panel on Peace Operations for the
United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of
Congo (MONUSCO), at the headquarters of the Ministry of Defence and Veteran
Affairs in Mbuya, Kampala.
MONUSCO was tasked with neutralizing armed groups,
reducing the threat posed to State authority and make space for stabilization
activities.
The Minister and the UN delegation discussed issues
concerning the UN continuity with the provision of support to the DR Congo
through the mission and the extent it has succeeded in fulfilling its core
mandate in pursuit of peace and stability.
The meeting particularly singled out a need for
combined efforts to eliminate rebel groups such as the Allied Democratic Forces
(ADF) which regrettably still exist.
Officials further agreed that while reviewing the
mission, it is imperative that at the end of it all, there should be no vacuum
or unfilled space that negative forces can take advantage of.
The meeting further explored some options to
consider in that regard.
Hon Mwesige commended the UN for maintaining
international peace and security in the region while Mr. Youssef applauded UPDF
for its continued sacrifice, commitment towards creating, sustaining peace and
stability across Africa. (Ultram)
Youssef commended that the role played by UPDF in stabilizing
Somalia is a good gesture to the rest of the world.
Earlier, Youssef had met the Minister of Foreign
Affairs Hon Sam Kuteesa and the Chief of Defence Forces Gen David Muhoozi at
the Foreign Ministry Headquarters
The meeting at the Defence Headquarters was attended
by the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lt Gen Wilson Mbadi, and the UPDF Joint
Chief of Staff (JCOS) Lt Gen Joseph Musanyuffu, among others
