East African Troops get three more months in DR Congo

By Tanzania Times On Sep 6, 2023

Heads of State of the seven countries forming the East African Community have once more extended the mandate of the region’s joint military outfit in Eastern DRC.

The East Africa Community Regional Force, which was deployed in 2022 is supposed to be responsible for reducing violence in the eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Most people are however not sure how successful these troops have been.

At their summit in Nairobi, the Presidents of Burundi, DR Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda, agreed to keep the East Africa Community Regional Force (EACRF) troops in DRC for another three months until December 8, 2023.

This force, made up of Kenyan, Ugandan, Burundian and South Sudanese soldiers, has been deployed gradually since last November in response to an advance by the rebels of the M23 (“March 23 Movement”) in this region, which has been plagued by armed groups for nearly 30 years.

The heads of state took note of the operational milestones achieved by the EAC Regional force towards restoration of security in the eastern DR Congo, pursuant to previous directives of the Summit on the implementation of the EAC-led Nairobi Process.

According to the official communique, from Nairobi, the Heads of State noted that the current mandate of the EACRF which was to expire on 8 September 2023 after being previously again extended in July, needs to be increased to the end of the year.

At their Nairobi meeting, the Presidents expressed appreciation to the African Union Commission which had extended the grant of USD 2 Million towards the East Africa Community Regional Force (EACRF).

Though the EACRF have not exactly been received well in Kinshasa, the EAC heads of state applauded the DRC President Felix Tshisekedi for his commitment to restoration of peace in the Eastern Congo.

They also thanked President Evariste Ndayishimiye, of the Republic of Burundi and chairperson of the summit of the EAC heads of state for his continued engagement and Commitment towards supporting the people of democratic Republic of Congo in their pursuit for sustainable peace and Security.