Regional

DRC: EAC Regional Force’s mandate extended, Tshisekedi unsettled

2023-09-09 05:48:00

East African Community leaders on September 5, extended the mandate of their regional force in the Democratic Republic of Congo for three more months to help consolidate the gains the force has made.

The move was undoubtedly bad news to President Félix Tshisekedi who wants the force to leave.

The regional leaders acknowledged the good work by EAC regional force that was mandated to create a buffer zone to prevent confrontations between Congolese defense forces (FARDC) and M23 rebels as well as encourage political dialogue.

That is why the regional force’s time, which was due to expire on September 8, after a six-months extension in March, was extended to December 8.

The EAC regional force has done a praiseworthy job.

Since it was deployed in November 2022, it secured all territories evacuated by the M23, as stipulated in the Luanda roadmap as a condition for dialogue with Congolese government.

The regional force occupies the evacuated areas of Sake, Kibumba, Rumangabo, Mushaki, Kilolirwe, Kitchanga, Kiwanja and Bunagana, among many others.

The presence of EACRF in eastern DRC allowed a ceasefire to last for more than six months. Since February, there have been no heavy fighting between the Congolese army and M23.

Beyond peacekeeping, the EAC troops are engaged in humanitarian activities including the provision of emergency medical care to civilians, providing food, and assisting residents in their daily life in North Kivu Province.

Despite all efforts they have put in to keep east DRC safe, EACRF has been subjected to a number of attacks from the Tshisekedi regime, including hundreds of violent demonstrators being unleashed against them.

This intimidation led to the resignation of the first Force Commander, Maj Gen Jeff Nyagah, who cited “aggravated threat to his safety and a systematic plan to frustrate efforts of the EACRF” as his reason.

In his resignation letter to the EAC Secretary General, Gen Nyagah wrote: “As you are aware, there was an attempt to intimidate my security at my former residence by deploying foreign military contractors (mercenaries) who placed monitoring devices, flew drones and conducted physical surveillance of my residence in early January 2023 forcing me to relocate.”

On many occasions, Tshisekedi uses militia and protestors to attack the UN mission and EAC regional force. Since at least July 2022, the Congolese President plotted demonstrations against peacekeepers in eastern DRC, accusing them of failing to restore peace.

He wanted the peacekeepers to attack the M23 rebels, which is not their mandate. When EAC regional force declined to satisfy his wishes, Tshisekedi accused them of ‘cohabitating’ with M23.

His absence at the Nairobi meeting on September 5 speaks volumes.

Insecurity still exists in eastern DRC. Civilians are still killed day by day while millions others are displaced. Armed groups increased, totaling to more than 260 today.

While EAC regional leaders believe that eliminating these groups will lead to security in the entire region, which will enhance regional integration and development, Tshisekedi’s wish is that peacekeepers exit DRC so that the December presidential election can be delayed, with insecurity as a pretext.

Tshisekedi is sacrificing his own people in eastern DRC for personal gain.