Museveni's Son Backs Uhuru's Strategy in DRC

General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, on Sunday, November 20, backed former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s strategy in ending the war between the government and rebel group M23 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). 

According to the controversial Ugandan General, the rebels in the war-torn country should heed the words of Kenyatta and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and end hostilities.

“I heard that my beloved big brother, H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, and uncle, H.E. Paul Kagame, asked M23 to withdraw from the territory recently captured. I agree with my bosses. Our brothers in M23 should immediately heed the words of our elders! Let’s resolve this conflict!” He stated.

General Muhoozi Kainerugaba

Daily Monitor

The military chief further warned that the DRC government and the continental forces working to restore peace in the central African country should be careful not to mock M23 rebels. 

“I heard some people saying that they can defeat them in a day?”  questioned Muhoozi indicating that the same stance was taken by former Ugandan president Milton Obote against the National Resistance Movement (NRA) in Luweero before he was ousted by Yoweri Museveni. 

Muhoozi’s statement came barely a day after former president Kenyatta  indicated that Rwandan leader Paul Kagame had agreed to influence ceasefire by M23 rebels, currently fighting Congolese forces.

The announcement by Kenyatta came in a communique after the former president, spoke with regional leaders on efforts to restore peace in the troubled nation.

Muhoozi stated that “when we convince them to withdraw for peace, they shall do it because they are serious partners for peace in DRC.” 

While Rwanda are yet to comment on the communique, the revelations by the former head of state and the statement by Muhoozi may signal the influence Kigali and Kampala have on the rebel group.

This is despite the fact that both the Museveni and Kagame administrations have denied supporting the rebel group in DRC. 

The DRC has previously accused Rwanda of aiding M23 and could therefore be influential in urging the group to lay down arms.

Kenyatta had visited Kinshasa and Goma where he held consultation meetings on the war in the DRC. 

The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) are part of the African mission deployed in the DRC to help restore peace in the region under reign in on the rebel group.

A statement from the KDF on Wednesday, November 17, indicated their commitment to protecting the strategic Goma Airport in eastern DRC from possible attacks as rebels advanced in a battle with Congolese forces.

File photo of members of the M23 Movement

TRT World