The East African Community (EAC) regional force has commenced its withdrawal from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as of Sunday, following a decision by the Congolese government not to renew the force’s mandate due to its perceived ineffectiveness in addressing ongoing security issues.
The EAC deployed troops to the DRC in November 2022 in response to the resurgence of the M23 rebel group, which had been invited by the DRC government to help reclaim territories controlled by the rebels. However, Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi has been increasingly critical of the EAC force, stating that it failed to secure the withdrawal of the M23, which claims to represent the interests of ethnic Tutsis.
At a summit held in late November, the DRC presidency announced its decision not to extend the EAC’s mandate, which is set to expire on December 8. Reports indicate that on Sunday, Kenyan soldiers were observed preparing to board planes at Goma airport as part of the withdrawal process.
Following the EAC’s exit, a new force from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is anticipated to replace the regional troops. The timing of this transition and the details of the SADC’s mandate, however, remain undisclosed.
This shift underscores the persistent challenges in stabilizing the eastern provinces of North Kivu and Ituri, which have been under a state of siege for two years due to escalating militia violence. Recent clashes with the M23 rebels have come alarmingly close to Goma, raising concerns that ongoing insecurity may disrupt the upcoming presidential, legislative, and regional elections scheduled for December 20.
Since the end of two regional wars between 1996 and 2003, the DRC has grappled with ongoing conflict. The latest spikes in violence have resulted in a record 6.9 million internally displaced people in the country, primarily concentrated in the eastern regions, according to the International Organisation for Migration.