Title: The East African Community extends the presence of its military force in the DRC
Introduction :
At the recent Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State of the East African Community (EAC), held in Nairobi, Kenya, the seven member countries decided to keep their troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) until December 8, 2023. This decision aims to ensure stability and security in the east of the country, which has been plagued by armed groups for many years. This article looks back on this extension and its implications for the region.
The context :
Since last November, the East African Community has been gradually deploying a military force in response to the resurgence of armed groups in the North Kivu region of the DRC. This situation caused the exodus of thousands of people and exacerbated the violence in the area. The deployment of the EAC force was intended to restore peace and security, and to fight against terrorist groups supported by Rwanda, in particular the M23.
Felix Tshisekedi’s position:
In early May, Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi expressed frustration with the EAC force, denouncing its complacency and cohabitation with the M23 terrorists it was supposed to fight. He had even considered asking for the departure of this force at the end of June. However, during the Extraordinary Summit, Felix Tshisekedi hailed the commitment of the East African Community for the restoration of peace in the DRC.
The extension of the mandate:
The EAC Heads of State agreed to extend the mandate of the military force and the status of forces agreement for a further period of three months, from September 9 to December 8, 2023. This decision was taken in awaiting the evaluation report of the EAC Council of Ministers. The Heads of State underscored the continued commitment of the East African Community to the Congolese people and thanked President Evariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi for his support.
The challenges of the presence of the EAC force:
The extension of the presence of the EAC force in the DRC raises several issues. On the one hand, it is a matter of guaranteeing security and stability in the North Kivu region, in order to put an end to violence and massive population displacements. On the other hand, it is crucial to prevent any cooperation between armed groups and East African Community forces, ensuring that the latter fulfill their mission without compromise.
Conclusion :
The East African Community has decided to extend the presence of its military force in the DRC until December 8, 2023, in order to contribute to stability and security in the east of the country. This decision comes in response to the resurgence of armed groups in the North Kivu region and the need to restore peace. It is essential that the EAC force fulfill its mission with efficiency and impartiality, in collaboration with the Congolese authorities, to ensure the security and tranquility of the local populations.