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The two-day meeting, held at the Governor’s office in Bunia from March 27 to 28, 2025
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BUNIA - Senior military commanders of the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) have concluded a bilateral coordination and evaluation meeting to streamline planning and assess the progress of joint operations against negative forces in eastern DRC.
The two-day meeting, held at the Governor’s office in Bunia from March 27 to 28, 2025, aimed to enhance the effectiveness of Operation Shujaa, the joint military offensive against armed groups operating in the region.
The UPDF delegation was led by Lt. Gen. Kayanja Muhanga, Commander of Land Forces, accompanied by Maj. Gen. Richard Otto, Commander of the Mountain Infantry Division based in Fort Portal, and Uganda’s Ambassador to the DRC, Hajji Farid Kaliisa. The FARDC delegation was headed by Lt. Gen. Ychaligonza Nduru Jacques, Deputy Chief of the General Staff in charge of Operations and Intelligence, alongside the Military Governor of Ituri Province, Lt. Gen. Luboya Nkashama Johnny.
The meeting resulted in key agreements, including the immediate deployment of joint patrols and security escorts for civilian convoys along the Mahagi–Bunia highway (RN 27) to protect communities from attacks by violent armed groups. Efforts will also be made to strengthen trust between security forces and local populations. Additionally, the joint forces urged local armed groups in the region to surrender and join the Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration, and Stabilization Program (PDDRC-S), an initiative led by the DRC government. Those who refuse to lay down their arms will be actively targeted in ongoing military operations.
Displaced people receive food aid outside Goma in the eastern DR Congo (WFP Photo)
Armed groups install ‘Parallel Administration’ in DR Congo, security council hears
Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council has been briefed on escalating violence and displacement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with reports that armed groups have seized territory and are attempting to establish a parallel administration.
Bintou Keita, head of the UN Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), told the Security Council in New York on Thursday that rebel groups, including the March 23 Movement (M23), have overrun key cities such as Goma and Bukavu. These groups have reportedly appointed a governor, two vice-governors, and financial and mining officials in North Kivu as part of their unofficial administration.
MONUSCO peacekeepers have been in the DRC since 2010 with a mandate to protect civilians and support the Congolese government in tackling insecurity. However, after initially requesting MONUSCO's withdrawal from South Kivu in June 2024, Kinshasa reversed its decision, asking the Security Council to extend the mission’s mandate until the end of 2025 due to worsening security conditions.
Rights violations and humanitarian crisis
Ms. Keita reported a sharp rise in human rights violations, including summary executions of over 100 civilians, forced child recruitment, abductions, and forced labor.
"Women and children remain the main victims," she stated, noting an increase in sexual violence linked to displacement, conflict, and the presence of escaped prisoners and new recruits. Reports indicate that young girls are engaging in survival sex, with aid workers documenting rape cases involving children as young as five. Between December 2024 and February 2025, 403 grave violations of children’s rights were verified.
In Ituri Province, violence between the CODECO and Zaïre armed groups has escalated, particularly in mining areas and farmlands, where civilians have borne the brunt of attacks.
Humanitarian aid blocked by insecurity
The ongoing conflict has displaced hundreds of thousands, with over 100,000 people forced to flee their homes in Djugu, Ituri Province, since January. However, humanitarian relief efforts remain severely constrained due to insecurity, roadblocks, and the closure of key airports in Goma and Kavumu.
Ms. Keita also warned that the situation is being exacerbated by global financial constraints. As of March, the 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan for the DRC was only 8.2% funded, limiting the ability of aid agencies to provide essential support.
Response and challenges
Despite these challenges, MONUSCO continues to operate, carrying out expanded patrols, protecting civilians, and facilitating disarmament talks in Ituri. These efforts led to the surrender of over 2,200 fighters from the Zaïre group and the capture of weapons and ammunition. A newly deployed Force Commander in North Kivu has strengthened coordination with Congolese forces. However, MONUSCO still faces restrictions imposed by M23, including roadblocks and advance notification requirements for movements in and around Goma.
Ethnic tensions and regional diplomacy
Ms. Keita also raised concerns over rising hate speech and ethnic targeting of Tutsi and Swahili-speaking Congolese, particularly as displaced populations move deeper into the country’s interior. She urged the Congolese government to enact laws against tribalism, racism, and xenophobia to prevent further division.
Efforts toward a ceasefire and political solution remain stalled despite regional mediation, including resolution 2773 and peace talks led by Angola under the African Union's leadership. The continued advance of M23 has disrupted discussions on MONUSCO’s withdrawal, particularly in South Kivu, where Bukavu is now under rebel control. Ms. Keita acknowledged that the mission’s planned disengagement from North Kivu and Ituri is now compromised, given the deteriorating security situation.
Call to action
In her closing remarks, the UN Special Representative urged the Security Council to take concrete measures against those responsible for human rights violations and to intensify efforts toward a political resolution.
"We must direct all our efforts towards securing an unconditional ceasefire," she emphasized.
