The leaders of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have agreed on a plan to share security intelligence to combat rebel groups active along the countries’ border.
DRC President Joseph Kabila and Uganda President Yoweri Museveni made the announcement after meeting in Uganda to discuss security.
The Uganda-based rebel group Allied Democratic Forces has killed at least 500 civilians in the Beni region in the DRC’s Kivu province since October 2014.
“We have decided to fight against all forms of recruitment from Uganda,” Museveni said. “We are taking steps with security services so that they can exchange the needed information, but we also recognise that there may be recruitment from Congo.”
Eastern DRC is home to multiple armed groups competing for control of the region’s vast mineral resources.
One former rebel group, M23, operated in eastern Congo from 2012 until it was repulsed by UN forces and the army.
More than 1 000 rebels fled to Rwanda and Uganda before a 2013 peace agreement. Museveni said Uganda would hand over any remaining former rebels.
The leaders also said they will form a joint committee on oil exploration.
