Djugu, April 2nd, 2025 (CPA) – Joint patrols by the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) have begun in Djugu in Ituri, in the north-east of the DRC, to provide security for the population, a Congolese army spokesman told the press on Tuesday. ‘The meeting was held in Djugu territory with the tactical commanders, i.e. those leading operations in Djugu territory. So this coordination meeting has already heralded the start of combat patrols, liaison patrols and reconnaissance patrols between the FARDC and the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF)’, said Lieutenant Jules Ngongo, spokesman for the FARDC operational sector. Regarding the objectives of these patrols, he explained: ‘it is to protect the roads, especially the population and their property’. He added that in the event of contact with the enemy, the two forces would go on the offensive. ‘This was the case in Fataki and Bule, where the two forces began combat patrols to increasingly protect the population’, said Lieutenant Jules Ngongo. The spokesman for the FARDC’s operational sector called on the population of Ituri in general, and of Djugu territory in particular, to support the two coalition forces, which are committed to putting out of action all armed groups that are resistant to the disarmament, demobilisation, community rehabilitation and stabilisation programme (PDDRC-S) process. ‘We call on the entire population to support these two forces and to work with them to put an end to the enemies of peace, those who are killing and massacring the population in Djugu territory’, he concluded.ACP/
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