Sendugu Museveni, a former member of the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels has formed a militia with the aim of helping the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) troops to fight his former comrades.
In his November 23rd, 2022 statement issued on November 28th, Museveni who is based in Masisi territory, North Kivu province, Eastern DR Congo has named his militia group as Congolese Patriotic Resistance Fighters / Strike Force (Résistants Patriotes Congolais/Force de frappe- PARECO/FF).
He explains that the aim of PARECO/FF is to form a coalition with the Armed Forces of Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) troops to pursue and combat the actions of M23 terrorists who are supported by RWANDA and UGANDA, fight against genocide, crimes against humanity, the infiltration of foreigners on Congolese soil, fight for the eradication of terrorist groups such as the M23, Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels and the definitive restoration of peace in the DRC.
“Considering the non-respect of the Nairobi agreements by the M23, which sows terror and desolation to the population of eastern DRC, considering the bloody attacks perpetrated by the M23 and their allies wanting to impose their power in violation of the constitution of the DRC, given the need to save the country in danger, and, referring to article 63 of our constitution, which stipulates that every Congolese has the Sacred Right and Duty to defend the Country and its Territorial integrity in the face of a threat or external aggression.
Given that the M23 terrorists and their violent allies kill and appropriate Congolese soil under the helpless eyes of the international community, and that the crimes that are committed do not appeal to anyone as if massacring peaceful Congolese citizens is a reserved right to foreign terrorist movements and their Rwandan and Ugandan allies,” Museveni says in a statement.
He also calls upon other self-defense forces in the country to unite and join in kicking out what he described as the enemy of peace in DR Congo.
“From today “PARECO/FF, exists and launches into the field to fiercely fight the M23 terrorists. I call on all self-defense forces of Congolese communities to unite as one man and join us in kicking out the state to harm the enemy of peace in the DRC. Any other party that opposes the liberation and restoration of peace in the DRC will suffer from our force,” Museveni further warns in a statement.
Major Willy Ngoma, the M23 Military spokesperson described Museveni as a former member of M23 who was suspended for notorious indiscipline in 2013 in a short statement.
Sendugu acted as the head of political affairs for M23 until 2013 when he was suspended by the rebel group president, Bertrand Bisimwa for alleged indiscipline.
He was a member of the M23 delegation in the Kampala peace talks before they flopped.
Meanwhile, the third phase of the Nairobi process for peace in eastern DR Congo is ongoing at Safari Park hotel.
Key among those present are the President of Burundi and President of the States of East Africa, Evariste Ndayishimiye, the President of Kenya, William Ruto, the facilitator of the process Uhuru Kenyatta, and Serge Tshibangu, the agent of the DRC president.
Presidents Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo of DRC, and, representatives from the Governments of the United Republic of Tanzania & South Sudan are attending via video link.
Several representatives of armed groups operating in eastern DRC, community leaders, and civil society organizations are also in the meeting.
But, the main absentee at these meetings is the M23, which was not invited. M23 continues its capture of several positions in Rutshuru, Nyiragongo, and Masisi territories despite the call for a ceasefire launched by the heads of state at the end of the mini-summit of Luanda.
The captured positions include the Uganda-DR Congo borders of Bunagana and Busanza/Kitagoma. DR Congo accuses Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels, but Rwanda and the rebels strongly deny it.
Museveni Statement
Story by Uganda Radio Network