Tshisekedi and Museveni Review Operation Shujaa Amid Renewed ADF Attacks

KAMPALA, May 12, 2026 - Félix Tshisekedi and Yoweri Museveni held talks in Kampala focused on the progress of Operation Shujaa, the joint military offensive conducted by Congolese and Ugandan forces against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and other armed groups operating in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The meeting took place against a backdrop of renewed deadly attacks attributed to the ADF in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri, despite ongoing joint military operations launched in November 2021 by the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF).

During the discussions, Félix Tshisekedi emphasized the importance both countries attach to security and stability in the Great Lakes region, particularly in operational zones where the two armies continue to collaborate closely.

The Congolese president praised the quality of exchanges with his Ugandan counterpart regarding military cooperation, although no detailed assessment of the operation’s results was publicly disclosed.

Operation Shujaa was launched to dismantle insurgent groups affiliated with the Islamic State and the ADF, which have been accused of massacres of civilians, sexual violence, forced recruitment of minors, and the establishment of illegal taxation systems in territories under their influence.

Despite the military campaign and the prolonged state of siege in eastern DRC, attacks continue to affect several localities, particularly in Beni territory in North Kivu and in Mambasa and other areas of Ituri. These areas have become epicenters of ADF activity, with recent assaults reported despite the deployment of Congolese and Ugandan troops.

The persistent insecurity has further worsened the humanitarian situation, triggering population displacement and increasing frustration among local communities who feel abandoned by authorities.

The violence has also drawn reactions from the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), which condemned the attacks against civilians and urged all actors to respect international law.