Kampala
The Democratic Republic of Congo has said their troops are determined to “decimate” the LRA as UN pledges military support to President Joseph Kabila’ to fight the rebels.
DRC minister for communication and information Lambert Mende Omalanga told French news agency, AFP on Wednesday that Kinshasa is doubling its military power in retaliation of the LRA attacks that have claimed over 400 civilians in north east DRC in the last few days.
UPDF, DRC and South Sudan troops in a joint intelligence-led military operation, on December 14, launched an attack on LRA bases in Garamba forests.
“We are determined to ensure LRA is decimated because they have been responsible for killing our people,” Mr Omalanga told the news agency, in the first comments made by a senior government official since the rebels went on a killing spree during Christmas festivities.
The United Nations Mission in DRC (Monuc) has declared that it is now taking steps to protect and assist civilians in the area.
“Pursuant to its mandate, Monuc will do everything in its power to continue to protect civilians, notably by bringing substantial support to the DRC Armed Forces (FARDC),” said Monuc in a press release published on Tuesday.
Ms Leila Zerrougui, the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in the DRC, on Tuesday met with the DRC’s National Security Board to confirm Monuc’s support.
At the military level, Monuc has already airlifted Congolese military troops to LRA infested zones from Dungu to Faradje since December 26, UN said. It has promised to provide food, water, medicines, sanitation and fuel. UPDF has also used its helicopters to airlift Congolese troops to affected regions.
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