Over 60 suspected members of the Allied Democratic Forces- ADF have surrendered to government forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo when Uganda Peoples Defence Forces-UPDF and the DRC forces launched a joint operation against the militant group on Tuesday.
The operation code-named military Suja is intended to drive the
militants out of their bases, according to Ugandan officials. The UPDF Deputy
Spokesperson Lt. Col Ronald Kakurungu said that more than 16 fighters from the
ADF have surrendered following intense military assault on their bases and
others surrendered to benefit from the government amnesty.
Without divulging details of where
they are being kept, Kakurungu explained that UPDF and the Armed Forces of the
Democratic Republic of the Congo-FARDC are cognizant that most people in the
ADF are there against their will. He says that both forces are encouraging ADF
members to surrender.
Kakurungu notes that the defection is
a boost in their efforts to end the violence and military threats against the
population in the two countries.
The operations overall commander Maj.
Gen. Kayanja Muhanga on Friday said that the offensive operation launched
against the Allied Democratic Forces-ADF in the Democratic Republic of Congo
will only come to an end when the group is completely defeated.
