East African Community Regional Force initiates exit after Democratic Republic of Congo denied mandate renewal
NAIROBI, Kenya
The East African Community Regional Force started its withdrawal from the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday after authorities in the country declined to renew its mandate.
About 100 Kenyan soldiers left early Sunday in the first phase of the withdrawal, marking the beginning of the force’s disengagement from the region. Soldiers left on a flight bound for Kenya’s capital Nairobi from the city of Goma in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to Kenyan media.
“Preparations to leave are underway. The summit decision was non-extension beyond December 8, 2023,” Kenyan daily The Star quoted an official, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media, as saying.
The decision follows the Kinshasa’s refusal to extend the mandate of the East African force, actively involved in peacekeeping efforts within the country.
Its departure comes as the country faces a series of security challenges and stability issues.
The force includes troops from several East African nations and has been active in peacekeeping operations and support efforts to maintain order and protect civilians.
The Democratic Republic of Congo, with its vast territory and complex socio-political landscape, continues to grapple with challenges related to governance and security.
After a summit of the East African Community on Nov. 25, an official statement declared that the country had decided against extending the regional force’s mandate, setting the deadline for withdrawal on Dec. 8, 2023.
Meanwhile, the M23, one of the rebel groups fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, said Sunday that it would retake areas vacated by the regional force following the departure.
“For the wellbeing of the civilian population, the M23 will recover and occupy all its areas that it handed over to the EAC-RF at the beginning of the peace process,” Lawrence Kanyuka, the rebel group’s spokesperson said in a statement.
“The M23 reiterates its commitment to resolve peacefully the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC,” he added.
M23 gained notoriety for its involvement in the country’s conflict, marked by territorial disputes and allegations of human rights abuses.
It has been implicated in a number of rights abuses, including the summary execution of civilians, the use of rape as a weapon of war, and recruiting child soldiers.
The activities of M23 in the Democratic Republic of Congo have resulted in numerous deaths, contributing to the toll of casualties in the ongoing conflict in the region.
