KAMPALA, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are holding discussions for a joint military operation against negative forces and to facilitate infrastructural development in the latter's eastern region, a top military commander said.
Uganda's Chief of Defense Forces David Muhoozi told reporters in Kampala, capital of Uganda, late Wednesday that Uganda People's Defence Forces will deploy its troops in eastern DRC to help fight militants and provide security for the construction of roads to support regional trade and strategic security.
"We haven't deployed. But we are working together with (our) Congolese brothers (military) to help sort out that matter (pacification of the region) because it concerns them, it also concerns us," said Muhoozi.
The military chiefs of the two neighboring countries last week held discussions about the deteriorating security situation in eastern DRC at Beni in North Kivu Province, a region where several militia groups including Uganda's Allied Democratic Forces continue to wreak havoc and carry out deadly attacks.
The revelation by Uganda comes weeks after the Congolese government declared a state of siege in the eastern part of the country due to the surging violence by armed groups.
Besides the military concerns, Uganda and DRC last year reached an agreement to jointly construct and develop a number of roads to facilitate regional trade.
Uganda's Cabinet last year approved the construction and upgrading of 223 km of roads in eastern DRC to boost trade and address insecurity. Enditem
