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East African Community Regional Force (EAC-RF) yesterday began its withdrawal from the Democratic Republic of Congo after the host country refused to renew its mandate.

In November last year, Kenya sent troops to the unit’s base in the war-torn Congo after the resurgence of the M23 rebel group.

The delay in deployment was occasioned by regional politics.

An official in Nairobi said Kenyan troops did exceptionally well and they were forced to deploy in Goma when it was near take over by M23 rebels. “Preparations to leave are underway. The summit decision was non-extension beyond December 8, 2023,” said an official aware of the developments.

The summit is the EAC top decision making organ comprising Heads of State from member countries.

Kenya’s forces landed in Nairobi yesterday at around 5am.

Prior to the deployment, the Congolese authorities invited the EAC to deploy its forces to free the areas conquered by the rebels.

But the future of the deployment was thrown into doubt after DR Congo President Felix Thisekedi accused the force of cohabiting with the rebels rather than forcing them to lay down arms.

Following an EAC summit meeting on November 25, the East African Community announced that the DRC “would not renew the mandate of the regional force beyond 8 December 2023”.

The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Francis Ogolla on Saturday visited the troops and commended them for achieving significant milestones since their deployment in the Eastern DRC.

He called on the troops to remain unified and vigilant, as the EACRF mission enters a transition phase following the non-renewal of the EACRF mandate by the host nation beyond December 8, 2023, and the planned deployment of the South African Development Community (SADC) troops.

The CDF’s visit comes at a time when the security situation in Eastern DRC is uncertain following breach of the ceasefire.

He visited EACRF Force Headquarters and addressed Kenyan troops stationed in Goma, Kibumba Forward Operating Base and Kibati Logistics Base within Nyiragongo territory, North Kivu.

The general also paid a courtesy call to the FARDC Land Forces Commander, Lieutenant General Fall Sikabwe Asinda, where both deliberated on security matters within the Joint Operation Area.

Gen. Ogolla relayed gratitude to the Congolese leadership and FARDC as well as communities in the operation area for their goodwill during the duration of the mission. He reiterated Kenya’s commitment to continue participating in regional peace initiatives until Eastern DRC realizes peace and security.

Imminent  threat

Since its deployment, EACRF has been successful in preventing an imminent threat to Goma town, Goma International Airport, and enabled the withdrawal of M23 from areas close to Goma along National Road number 2 and Provincial Road number 1030.

As a result, the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 entered into a ceasefire agreement that has been holding until it was breached in October 2023.

 Gen Ogolla noted the partial return to normalcy in all areas where EACRF troops were deployed in JOA.

The military boss emphasized the need for collective responsibility of the East African Community to protect the Congolese people.