| Army chiefs from Burundi, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda have agreed to jointly take military action against rebel groups that are destabilising the region. The four countries held a one day meeting and resolved to take joint military actions against all armed groups operating in the region, which it characterised as “negative forces”, especially Rwandan rebels still active in the DRC. “The meeting agreed that the military operations against the negative forces are imperative to restore sustainable peace and security in the region,” a statement by the four army chiefs, released late on Wednesday, said. The statement said that the DRC, with intelligence from the others, could intensify operations against rebels operating from its territory within the next few months. Rwanda and Uganda have in the past sent their troops into the DRC, saying that they were chasing rebel groups which had attacked their countries from Congolese territory. The DRC on the other hand has accused the two of invading its territory with the intention of looting its resources. The four countries agreed that such actions would no longer happen in the future. Instead, there would be collaboration and coordination in attacks against the armed groups. |