Ugandan Army Wonders why DRC fired its UPDFofficer

The expulsion spells fears that the relations between the two countries might deteriorate amidst panic and war threats between the DR Congo and Rwanda.

The army spokesperson, Lt Col Paddy Ankunda, said they do not know why Brig Muheesi was summarily expelled from Goma, a city in the eastern DRC, where he was one of the 11 military officers from members of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).

The ICGLR established the Intelligence centre last year to monitor the illegal activities of different rebel groups in eastern Congo.

“The Congolese government expressed concern during the recent meeting in Nairobi. But we do not know why they went ahead to expel Brig Muheesi who is here. We are still waiting for Kinshasa to explain why they make that decision,” Lt Col Ankunda said.

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The army also denied reports that 300 Ugandan soldiers had crossed with tanks into Masisi and Mahagi in Oriental District, Congo.

Meanwhile the Congolese rebel group M23 yesterday warned Kinshasa to stop shelling areas near Goma, which resulted into death of two people.

“We are meeting resistance from the UN, Tanzanians, South Africans, FDRL and Kinshasa government. They should tell us if they want to peace or war,” said Mr Rene Abandi, the leader of the M23 delegation at the peace negotiation in Kampala.

The Monitor