Months after deployment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Kenya Defense Forces have taken control of the town of Kibumba in the east of the the DRC.
M23 rebels allegedly supported by Rwanda left the town 30kms north of Goma, the group's stronghold.
The rebel group ceded the control of Kibumba in line with the November 23, 2022, Luanda communique.
“The M23, has begun withdrawing from areas under their control in total compliance with the Luanda mini-summit communique dated 23rd November, 2022, said KDF's Maj Gen Jeff Nyagah. "The withdrawal and subsequent takeover by the East Africa Community Regional Force (EACRF) in areas under their control is a positive indicator that the agreed upon strategy of restoration of normalcy in Eastern DRC are on course, challenges therein notwithstanding.”
Maj Gen Nyagah added that KDF would uphold the rule of the law in all areas under its control. He warned any groups against attacking his contingent adding that all options were on the table.
Rwanda has come under pressure from the United States to stop supporting the M23 rebel group which is accused of crimes against humanity in the areas under its occupation.
Kenya has followed up on EAC's resolution to deploy soldiers in DRC to eradicate local and foreign rebels responsible for the distabilization of the central African country.
Kenya deployed a contingent of 900 soldiers with the mandate of working with local forces to defeat the most notorious rebel group M23.
Additionally, they will work with the UN forces and assist in humanitarian activities such as helping the internally displaced people.
The Democratic Republic of Congo joined the East African Community on March 29, 2022, becoming the seventh country to join the union.
Three days after becoming a member, the EAC countries announced plans to deploy an African force to restore order in the central African nation affected by instability for at least two decades.
The EAC leaders held a consultative meeting in Nairobi Kenya chaired by the President of the DRC Felix Tshisekedi. They agreed to fast-track the development of a regional force under the Military/Security Enforcement Track program.
The deployable force would “help contain and, where necessary, fight the negative forces” to accelerate the development of the region.
DRC rebels must disarm and join the political process.
The leaders of EAC countries agreed that all rebel groups fighting in the DRC must fully participate in the political process to end their grievances.
Armed groups that fail to comply would be considered hostile forces and confronted militarily. The delegation agreed that the process would commence immediately.
Foreign rebels must leave the Democratic Republic of Congo
Additionally, the presidents of EAC countries agreed that all foreign armed groups fighting in the DRC must disarm and return to their home countries.
The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC reports that at least four foreign armed groups currently operate in the DRC.
Foreign rebels in the DRC include the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), the National Liberation Forces (FNL) from Burundi, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF - an Islamic State affiliate), M23, and the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) from Uganda.
Which East African countries will send troops to the DRC?
The block did not provide a framework or the composition of the regional force. However, it’s likely to be an alliance for the willing.
Several EAC members are already involved in the conflict with Uganda and Rwanda deploying troops in the country several times. The biggest question is whether Kenya, Tanzania, and South Sudan would send troops to the DRC.
Kenya is already fighting Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia while South Sudan is involved in a domestic conflict.
Previous deployments by Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi have led to a diplomatic row between these countries and the DRC.
However, under the right circumstances, the DRC neighbors could deploy and crash foreign rebels from their countries.
Uganda is already helping the DRC fight the ADF Islamic terrorist group and the M23 rebels posing a threat to both countries.
ADF was involved in a bomb attack in Uganda’s capital Kampala and the death of thousands in the DRC. The group was formed by Muslims opposed to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.
Foreign troops in the DRC are perceived as the biggest challenge to peace in the resource-rich country. They have been accused of arming rebels, committing human rights abuses, and participating in illegal extraction of natural resources.
However, it’s only reasonable that the DRC neighbors help in eradicating rebels originating from their countries and posing a threat to both the DRC and home countries.
