Kisangani demilitarisation plan calls for all forces out

The formal acceptance by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) of a demilitarisation plan for the northeastern DRC city of Kisangani is expected by Monday (22 May), with the day of its signature marking the entry into force of an agreed implementation calendar, according to a draft execution order seen by IRIN. The Rwandan and Ugandan forces would withdraw in a first phase over two weeks from the entry into force of the plan, with rebel forces scheduled to withdraw in a second phase after the deployment of a UN force in the town, according to the document.

The desired end sought was that “no armed civilians or armed soldiers from rebel groups or foreign forces” would remain in the town or its environs, it added. After the completion of the first phase and before the deployment of a UN force, the plan would allow joint UPDF-RPA deployments at strategic points in the town and joint patrols of the Tshopo and Congo rivers but, eventually, the UN would take control of the military bases of La Forestiere, Kapalata and Camp Base, as well as Sim-Sim Airport, Bangoka Airport and Rive Gauche river port.