The Ugandan Army has claimed that the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group could be defeated «in less than 24 hours» if the joint East African Community (EAC) force is deployed in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The ‘number two’ of the Ugandan Army, Peter Elwelu, has indicated that «if the EAC regional forces deployed unanimously decide to repel the M23, it would not even take 24 hours, and they know it very well», according to a statement from the Ugandan Ministry of Defense Elwelu, who stressed that Kampala is ready to support the DRC in its fight against «negative forces», reiterated that Uganda does not support the M23 and recalled the role of Ugandan troops in the fight against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), which swore allegiance to the jihadist group Islamic State.
In this sense, he stressed that support to the M23 would be «suicidal» and praised the «good relations» with the DRC, while calling on the rebel group to «return to its positions» in order to initiate a «proper dialogue» to resolve tensions in the east of the African country.
On the other hand, he pointed out the need for a «proactive» stance on the part of the countries of the region to «promote peace and security». «It is necessary for all parties involved to engage in dialogue as a unified force to confront the enemy,» he said.
«We need logistical support as a regional force to be effective because without it, it will not be easy to make an impact,» Elwelu said, days after Kenya announced it was sending troops to eastern DRC to confront the rebels.
On Thursday, Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi called for the «total mobilization» of the population to confront the M23 and even advocated the organization of «vigilante groups» made up of civilians to deal with rebel attacks.
The EAC regional force gained strength following an agreement reached by seven member states, although the current diplomatic crisis between DRC and Rwanda, after the former accused the latter of supporting the M23 rebels, has made the latter the only one not to send troops.
The M23 has been accused since November 2021 of carrying out attacks against DRC Army positions in North Kivu, seven years after the parties reached a truce. UN experts have accused Uganda and Rwanda of supporting the rebels, although both countries have denied this.
