https://en.sputniknews.africa/20231211/thousand-ugandan-troops-began-leaving-drc-after-eacrfs-mandate-expiration-1064064744.html
Thousand of Ugandan Troops Began Leaving DRC After EACRF's Mandate Expired
Thousand of Ugandan Troops Began Leaving DRC After EACRF's Mandate Expired
Sputnik Africa
The East African Community Regional Force in DR Congo was deployed last November. Following several extensions, its mandate was extended for the last time in... 11.12.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-12-11T11:51+0100
2023-12-11T11:51+0100
2023-12-11T13:11+0100
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eac regional force operation in the drc
democratic republic of the congo (drc)
central africa
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east african community (eac)
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The Uganda People's Defense Forces (UPDF) has begun withdrawing 1,000 troops deployed for a regional peacekeeping mission in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the military reportedly stated on Friday.In late November, East African Community (EAC) leaders stated that the DRC had decided not to renew the mandate of the EAC regional force after it expired on December 8.Furthermore, according to the reports, the army's operational forces and equipment will be gradually, orderly and sequentially withdrawn by January 7, 2024. Moreover, CDFS held a meeting on Friday in Arusha, Tanzania, where the organization supported the DRC's decision and urged the withdrawal.CDFS also noted that 300 Kenyan troops have already left the region, "with South Sudan expected to withdraw 287 troops" by the end of Friday.The government of the DRC has pledged its support for the safe and secure withdrawal of the contingents. The EAC first deployed its troops to the violence-plagued Central African country in November 2022, following the resurgence of the M23 rebel group.M23 is one of many militant groups operating in the mineral-rich eastern part of DR Congo. These groups emerged from the regional wars that erupted in the 1990s and 2000s.The UN considered the DRC emergency as "one of the most complex humanitarian crises in the world" that over the decades displaced "6.1 million people within the country" and forced "1 million to seek asylum across Africa."
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eac regional force operation in the drc, democratic republic of the congo (drc), central africa, uganda, east african community (eac), united nations (un), m23 rebels, security
Thousand of Ugandan Troops Began Leaving DRC After EACRF's Mandate Expired
11:51 11.12.2023 (Updated: 13:11 11.12.2023) Christina Glazkova
Writer / Editor
The East African Community Regional Force in DR Congo was deployed last November. Following several extensions, its mandate was extended for the last time in September this year to December 8.
The Uganda People's Defense Forces (UPDF) has begun withdrawing 1,000 troops deployed for a regional peacekeeping mission in the eastern
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the military reportedly stated on Friday.
In late November, East African Community (EAC) leaders
stated that the DRC had decided not to renew the mandate of the EAC regional force after it expired on December 8.
Furthermore, according to the reports, the army's operational forces and equipment will be gradually, orderly and sequentially withdrawn by January 7, 2024.
"UPDF will ensure to expedite the pull-out of its forces and equipment within the approved timelines as enshrined in the extraordinary meeting of EAC CDFS (Chief of Defense Forces/Staff) held on December 6," Ahmad Hassan Kato, UPDF's contingent spokesperson was quoted as saying.
Moreover, CDFS held a meeting on Friday in Arusha, Tanzania, where the organization supported the DRC's decision and
urged the withdrawal.
"The [CDFS] meeting upheld DRC's decision and recommended to the EAC Defence Ministers that EACRF officially ceases its operations in Eastern DRC, with effect from 8th December 2023," CDFS said in a statement published on X (formerly Twitter).
CDFS also noted that 300 Kenyan troops have already left the region, "with South Sudan expected to withdraw 287 troops" by the end of Friday.
The government of the DRC has pledged its support for the safe and secure withdrawal of the contingents.
The meeting did, however, raise concerns regarding the ongoing clashes in the Joint Operation Area where the EACRF troops are stationed. The EAC called upon the DRC's Armed Forces, rebel group M23 and other militant groupings to "cease hostilities in order to allow the peace processes to continue their mission of finding a lasting solution to the security challenges."
The EAC first deployed its troops to the violence-plagued Central African country in November 2022, following the resurgence of the
M23 rebel group.
M23 is one of many militant groups operating in the mineral-rich eastern part of DR Congo. These groups emerged from the regional wars that erupted in the 1990s and 2000s.
The
UN considered the DRC emergency as "
one of the most complex humanitarian crises in the world" that over the decades displaced "6.1 million people within the country" and forced "1 million to seek asylum across Africa."
