The East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) has withdrawn from the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after a year of peacekeeping.

The troops from four countries, including Kenya’s Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) were deployed to DRC in November 2022.

According to a statement from EACRF, the last troops of soldiers left Congo on Thursday, December 21. 

EACRF’s commander Maj Gen Aphaxard Kiugu, had indicated in a statement that the soldiers have sufficiently addressed the conflict and helped to restore calm in the region.

Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and South Sudan approved deployment of their troops to Congo in November 2022 after March 23 Movement (M23) rebels intensified the war in DRC.

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As a result, Kenya Defence Forces (KDF)  troops were the first to be deployed in Goma and Kivu, where they battled with M23 rebels.

Burundi, was second in deploying troops to Congo in March 2023 and took positions in Mubambiro and later moved to Kirolirwe, Kitchanga and Mweso.

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In April 2023, Uganda’s troops arrived in Congo and pitched camp at Bunagana and later in Chengerero, Kiwanja and Mabenga. 

South Sudan’s team was deployed on the same day as Uganda’s contingent and joined the KDF who both extended deployments into Tongo and Mulimbi.

According to Major Gen. Kiugu, troops in the Joint Operation Area (JOA) actively facilitated a ceasefire between M23 rebels  and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC).

“Although fragile, the ceasefire lasted from 07 March to 06 October 2023, when it was breached following the resumption of hostilities between M23 and FARDC,”  Gen Kiugu noted in a statement.

EARCF has been lauded for opening the main routes,  resulting in the gradual return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their rural homes.

At the same time Kiugu urged all players who supported the peace mission to continue supporting the ongoing and future interventions in ensuring peace and stability in DRC.

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“Citizens of North Kivu and Eastern DRC in general, deserve to live in secure and humane conditions and with equal chances of prosperity just like their brothers and sisters in other parts of DRC,” he stated.

The withdrawal of EACRF soldiers started on December 3, after approximately 100 KDF soldiers were flown back to Kenya. 

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta facilitated the peace building process in DRC that was led by the East African Community.