Uganda sent more soldiers to the northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, raising fears about a growing regional conflict. Defense spokesperson Felix Kulayigye told AFP reporters on Sunday, "Our troops have entered Mahagi town, and we are in control." The Congolese army asked for this help after armed groups reportedly killed many civilians. The military action happened in Ituri province, which sits along the Uganda-Congo border.
Armed men linked to the Cooperative for Development of Congo killed at least 51 people on February 10, according to local sources. This group says it fights to protect Lendu farmers against Hema cattle herders. Thousands of Ugandan soldiers already operate in different parts of Ituri through an official agreement with Congo's government. Uganda recently announced its forces had taken control of Bunia, the main city in Ituri province.
The situation becomes more complex because Ituri sits just above North and South Kivu provinces. At the end of January, these areas fell under the control of the rebel M23 group. Congo claims Rwanda supports these rebels, but Rwanda strongly disagrees with these accusations. The growing military presence of both Uganda and Rwanda inside Congo worries many experts who study the region.
Some analysts believe these developments might trigger another major conflict similar to the Second Congo War. That devastating war lasted from 1998 until 2003 and pulled many African nations into fighting. The conflict caused millions of deaths through violence, disease spread, and widespread hunger across the region. The current military movements suggest tensions between these neighboring countries continue to escalate rather than decrease.
Armed men linked to the Cooperative for Development of Congo killed at least 51 people on February 10, according to local sources. This group says it fights to protect Lendu farmers against Hema cattle herders. Thousands of Ugandan soldiers already operate in different parts of Ituri through an official agreement with Congo's government. Uganda recently announced its forces had taken control of Bunia, the main city in Ituri province.
The situation becomes more complex because Ituri sits just above North and South Kivu provinces. At the end of January, these areas fell under the control of the rebel M23 group. Congo claims Rwanda supports these rebels, but Rwanda strongly disagrees with these accusations. The growing military presence of both Uganda and Rwanda inside Congo worries many experts who study the region.
Some analysts believe these developments might trigger another major conflict similar to the Second Congo War. That devastating war lasted from 1998 until 2003 and pulled many African nations into fighting. The conflict caused millions of deaths through violence, disease spread, and widespread hunger across the region. The current military movements suggest tensions between these neighboring countries continue to escalate rather than decrease.
