Congo okays joint operation with Uganda against Islamist militia, sources say

Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi has agreed to a joint operation with Uganda’s army against Islamist rebels accused of suicide bombings in Kampala this month, two diplomatic sources said.

The Islamic State said their local affiliate, known as the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), were behind a Nov. 16 attack which killed seven people, including the three bombers, and injured dozens more.

News reports about the proposed cross-border campaign, which is yet to be announced publicly, has sparked anxiety amongst some Congolese, who recall Uganda’s role in the brutal civil wars that ended in 2003.

Tshisekedi informed the United Nations peacekeeping mission on Friday he had authorised military cooperation with Uganda against the ADF, but did not provide any further details, a senior U.N. diplomat said.

The second diplomatic source said the same, but also had no more details.