The East African Community (EAC) regional force, deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has begun its withdrawal following criticisms of ineffectiveness and a refusal by Kinshasa to renew its mandate. This development was confirmed as approximately 250 South Sudanese soldiers departed from Goma airport early on Friday, December 8, 2023, bound for Juba. This follows the earlier departure of nearly 300 Kenyan soldiers from Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu, last Sunday.
The EAC-RF, which includes troops from Kenya, South Sudan, Uganda, and Burundi, was initially deployed in November 2022, in response to the resurgence of the M23 rebellion in North Kivu. Despite the intentions, the Congolese government and local population quickly voiced criticisms, accusing the force of failing to actively combat the M23 rebels and instead coexisting with them.
Armed militiamen gather near Rutshuru, 70 kms (45 miles) north of Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo,Wednesday June 22, 2022. Earlier in the week, East Africa’s leaders have responded to the threat of war between Rwanda and Congo by instructing a new regional force to deploy in eastern Congo and ordering an immediate cease-fire. A statement after the meeting in Kenya’s capital does not give details on the date of deployment of the force or its composition. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa)
President Felix Tshisekedi of the DRC, in power since 2019 and seeking a second term in the upcoming general elections scheduled for December 20, has been vocal in his criticism of the EAC force. He accused them of failing to enforce the withdrawal of the M23, a rebel group claiming to represent ethnic Tutsis’ interests. The discontent led to the decision not to renew the mandate of the regional force beyond December 8, 2023, as announced following an EAC summit on November 25.
In place of the EAC troops, Kinshasa is looking towards the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to deploy forces. However, the specifics regarding the arrival and mandate of the SADC troops remain unconfirmed. This strategic reshuffle comes amidst ongoing clashes between the M23 rebels and the Congolese army, supported by militias identifying as “patriots.”
The East African Community regional force began its withdrawal from the DRC after Kinshasa refused to renew its mandate © Alexis HUGUET / AFP
The region of Eastern DRC, particularly the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri, has long been a hotspot for militia violence, a legacy of the regional wars in the 1990s and early 2000s. This ongoing conflict has led to a record 6.9 million internally displaced persons within the DRC, as reported by the International Organization for Migration.
Moreover, Kinshasa has been critical of the United Nations mission MONUSCO, present in the DRC since 1999, also demanding its “ordered” and “accelerated” departure starting from January 2024. MONUSCO, consisting of approximately 14,000 peacekeepers, has been primarily deployed in the eastern regions of the country.
