EngRegional
EAC forces show Congolese army right thing to do; but...
The
East African Community Regional Forces (EACRF) deployed in eastern DRC, for
almost seven months now, are not only focused on their mandate of restoring
peace and stability in North Kivu Province.
Unlike
the Congolese Army, FARDC, which fights focusing only on winning the war - though
they have never single-handedly won one, EAC troops are also engaged in
humanitarian activities including the provision of emergency medical care to
civilians, providing food, and assisting residents in their daily life.
On
May 26, Kenyan troops serving under the EAC Regional Forces offered medical aid
to a pregnant young woman in Kibumba village. They took her to a Health Center where
she was able to have a successful delivery. Later, the troops assisted her to
get back home and offered food to her family.
The
same generous act was administered to a woman in Kabaya on January 18. The EAC
forces offered first aid to a sick lady after an unsuccessful delivery and took
her to the dispensary for further treatment.
The
EACRF troops also helped restore water supply to residents of Kabaya, Biluma,
Rumangabo, and nearby villages in Rutshuru territory after repairing, servicing,
and fueling a faulty generator, on January 29. The generator, pumping water
from river Ndata, was fixed after over a week of being unserviceable, forcing
residents to walk long distances to get water. The troops repaired a damaged
section of the pipe supplying water from the river to two villages and restored
it to maximum efficiency.
On
December 31, 2022, EAC forces found cattle of local people in Kibumba that were
lost at the Rwanda – DRC border while grazing. The herd was found 10km south of
Kibumba and was handed over to the owner.
On
the previous day, the regional forces had assisted over 70 local farmers who
faced the challenge of transporting their farm produce to Kibati town after the
heavy rains in the village. Many relied on motorcycles to transport their
harvested food to the market but due to the rain, the EAC forces helped them
with a truck.
These
activities, few in many performed by the forces, demonstrate EACRF’s sense of
responsibility and dedication to really helping the people of eastern DRC. But
Kinshasa insists that the force is impractical.
Many
Congolese residents applauded these actions and said that in their whole life,
they had never seen Congolese soldiers doing these activities for civilians in
North Kivu. What the locals are used to is seeing their own government army
rape, pillage and kill innocent people.
North Kivu province military governor, Lt.
Gen. Constant Ndima Kongba, on May 26, downplayed EACRF’s activities and said
that the Congolese people “do not need
humanitarian aid in the camps” as, instead, they need to “return to their
villages.”
Kinshasa was disappointed by how EAC forces are handling the
M23 rebellion. Congolese leaders, especially Tshisekedi, wanted the regional
force to battle the M23 rebels and push them out of their occupied territories.
Since December 2022, the regional force ensured observance of
ceasefire and oversaw the withdrawal of M23 rebels who handed over most areas
they had captured to EACRF. These areas include Karuba, Mushaki, Kirolirwe,
Kitchanga, Mweso, Kishishe, Bambo, Bunagana, Tchengerero, Kiwanja and
Kinyandoni. They are now under the control of various EACRF contingents who are
helping residents to return to their homes and businesses.
The EACRF’s humanitarian activities are a supplement to the
good job they did in eastern DRC and their commitment and determination towards
peace and stability in the region. The
resumption of normalcy is noticeable in all territories after the restoration
of security by EACRF.
If
only the Congolese army would swallow its pride, learn from the EAC Regional
Force, and make the safety of Congolese people first priority, all would be
well.
