EACRF Troops Exit DRC amid Fresh Chaos Fears

GOOBJOOG NEWS | KINSHASA: The East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) which had been deployed to Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have finally been withdrawn from the region.The last team of the regional force departed Congo on Thursday 21, 2023, amid fears of fresh chaos in the region.

EACRF’s commander Maj Gen Aphaxard Kiugu said the contingents from four countries have sufficiently addressed the conflict and helped to restore partial calm in the region.

The conflict had been occasioned by the notorious armed group March 23 Movement (M23) which captured areas bordering Rwanda and Uganda.

This prompted the EAC heads of state from Kenya, Burundi, Uganda and South Sudan to approve the deployment of their troops in November 2022.

Maj. Gen. Kiugu said the EACRF forces played a critical role in brokering of ceasefire between the M23 rebels and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) which he notes reduced loss of lives and allowed flow of relief to the victims.

“Albeit fragile, the ceasefire lasted from March 7, to October 6, 2023, when it was breached following the resumption of hostilities between the M23 and FARDC,” he said in his last briefing at EACRF headquarters.

Despite the numerous successes achieved by the regional force, Maj Gen Kiugu noted that the areas vacated by EACRF have been occupied by the armed forces including the M23 rebels.