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UN Confirms That a Ugandan Militia is in Congo-Kinshasa What Next?

FrontPageAfrica (Monrovia)
NEWS
November 16, 2005
Posted to the web November 17, 2005

By Scott Morgan

Recently the UN Special Representative for the Democratic Republic of the Congo
addressed members of the media after meeting with President Museveni in the
Ugandan Capital Kampala. Responding to questions from Journalists after the
meeting the envoy Mr. William Lacy Swing made a startling statement. One of the
foreign militias operating in the eastern part of the DRC is a Ugandan Militia
known as the PRA (People's Redemption Army).
Speaking at a hotel in the resort of Entebbe Mr. Swing recognized the existence
of the ADF (Allied Democratic Forces) which is one of many groups from Uganda
Rwanda and even DRC groups that are seeking power that are seen as potentially
destabilizing the whole region with their activities. The Ugandan Government
has insisted since 2002 that the PRA exists and has in recent times arrested
and jailed suspected members.
Prior to 2002 the Museveni regime had accused Col Dr Kizza Besygye of having
links to the PRA. This should be highly scrutinized because when the Leader of
the opposition who has just recently returned from exile and was recently
arrested. The news of the arrest led to a wave of violence after the good
leader was accused of treason and rape. He was also accused of having links to
the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). The existence of this group has long been a
source of debate between the Ugandan Government and the Opposition.
An internal MONUC briefing document dated September 6th of this year and dealt
with this topic estimates the strength of the PRA as between 300-400 men and
has linked up with the ADF in North Kivu. The document also states that the PRA
is not a significant threat to the Ugandan Government. The document also claims
that Dr Besygye is the Political leader of the PRA. It also states that the
leader of the Opposition is known for his business ingenuity.
A source close to the meetings stated that President Museveni reiterated his
call for a joint operation to rid the eastern DRC of the various militias.
Countries that would take part in such a operation include Uganda, Rwanda and
Sudan. Such a operation would also be supervised by MONUC. The US earlier
proposed such an idea when it wanted to end the mandate of MONUC earlier this
year. A Sudanese Militia in the south has offered to mediate to end the
conflict on their borders.
It was also suggested that the UN also set up surveillance to monitor the flow
of arms into the eastern DRC that keep the rebels supplied. Setting up a radar
site in the area is a step that could be taken as most arms that enter the
region are flown in.
A UN Security Council Team is in the area doing a security assessment of the
area. It has been to Burundi and in the DRC before going to Uganda. After
Kampala they went to Kigali and then the next stop is in Tanzania. Lets hope
that they have a report with ideas not complaints.

   

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