Uganda calls for JMC "contingency plan"

Ugandan Minister of State for Regional Cooperation Amama Mbabazi on Tuesday called on members of the Joint Military Commission (JMC) established under the Lusaka ceasefire agreement to "take action" over the deteriorating security situation in the DRC. Mbabazi called on the JMC to prepare a contingency plan for implementing the Lusaka agreement, "even in the absence of the UN and international community," Radio Uganda reported.
Mbabazi, who co-chairs the Political Committee overseeing the JMC's implementation of the ceasefire accord, said military Chiefs of Staff had been summoned to Kampala this week to give "a stamping authority" to punitive measures against those who violated the ceasefire accord, the semi-official Ugandan 'New Vision' newspaper reported.

Meanwhile, Acting JMC chairman Brigadier-General Timothy Kazembe said ceasefire violations were most frequent in Ikela (Equateur Province), Kongolo, Kabalo and other, northerly parts of Katanga Province, the 'New Vision' added. Kazembe urged belligerents to avoid being overwhelmed by the feeling of dissatisfaction amid increased fighting, and said he wanted from this week's JMC and Political Committee meetings the "immediate cessation of hostilities and a disengagement plan," the report said.