Ugandan peacekeeping troops in the war-torn North Kivu province in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have successfully disposed of 18 assorted explosives in Mabenga, Rutshuru territory.
The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team, operating under the Field Engineering Unit of the Ugandan troops, expertly handled the abandoned and unexploded ordinances, which included rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) bombs, main battle tank bombs, anti-tank bombs, 82-millimeter recoilless bombs, bomb fuses, hand grenades, and live ammunition of assault rifle weapons.
The explosives were left behind during heavy fighting between the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) soldiers that occurred in March 2022. Captain Hassan Ahmed Kato, the spokesperson for the Ugandan troops contingent, explained that the explosives were collected from various plantations, fields, and bushes within the villages of Mabenga.
Major Julius Aine, the EOD Field Engineering Commander, expressed gratitude for the cooperation of the local community, as they provided essential information about the locations of the abandoned explosives. He also urged the locals to remain vigilant and cautious when dealing with unknown materials, emphasizing the deadly nature of the bombs and the need for proper safety measures.
Lt. Col. Samuel Mawanda Lubega, the Commanding Officer of the 9th battalion in Mabenga, noted that despite the restoration of peace and calmness in the area due to the presence of the Ugandan troops, civilians engaging in agriculture in their gardens still face the challenge of unexploded bombs left behind during the conflict.
Some of these recovered bombs remain functional, posing a significant danger to human lives and animals if tampered with. Mabenga, a critical food-producing area in North Kivu, plays a vital role in sustaining the population with crops like maize, soya, beans, cassava, and sorghum. Prior to the intervention of Ugandan troops, incidents of abandoned bombs exploding had been reported in the region, leading to casualties and injuries.
Ugandan troops were deployed in Rutshuru territory, including Bunagana, Kiwanja, Mabenga, and Rutshuru town, in accordance with the resolutions of the East African Community (EAC) heads of states summit. Their mission is to reclaim positions that were previously held by the M23 rebels after they defeated the FARDC soldiers and to establish a buffer zone to prevent further clashes between M23 rebels and FARDC soldiers.
Troops from Kenya, Burundi, and South Sudan are also deployed in Masisi and Nyiragongo territories under the same peacekeeping mission. The M23 launched a war against the DR Congo government, specifically targeting the North Kivu province, in March 2022.
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