Ugandan Troops Depart DR Congo as EACRF Mandate Ends

Nairobi, Kenya - December 15, 2023 - The Ugandan contingent of the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) has officially completed its withdrawal from the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), marking the end of the regional peacekeeping mission after its mandate expired on December 8th.

"The UPDF troops have finally received orders to pull out of the violence-plagued eastern DRC," confirmed Capt. Kato Ahmad Hassan, a Ugandan army spokesman, on December 10th. "The withdrawal will be conducted in a phased manner, gradual, orderly, and sequentially commencing on December 8 2023 to Jan., 7, 2024."

The Ugandan contingent, numbering approximately 1,000 soldiers, was deployed in March 2023 alongside troops from Burundi, Kenya, and South Sudan under the EACRF banner. The mission aimed to neutralize armed groups like the M23 rebels and restore peace in the volatile region.

However, tensions between the DRC government and the EACRF grew over the course of the mission, culminating in Kinshasa's decision not to renew the regional force's mandate. Congolese authorities accused the EACRF of failing to effectively contain the violence and expressed concerns about alleged Ugandan economic interests in the region.

"DRC's decision not to extend the EACRF mandate is based on the need to find more effective solutions to the security challenges in the east," stated a Congolese government spokesperson in October. "We remain committed to working with the international community to address the root causes of conflict and bring lasting peace to our country."

The EACRF's withdrawal leaves a security vacuum in eastern DRC, raising concerns about potential resurgences of violence and further displacement of civilians. The situation is further complicated by the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the deployment of a planned regional force from the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).

Meanwhile, the Ugandan contingent's departure has been met with mixed reactions within the country. While some view the mission as unsuccessful and costly, others argue that it provided valuable experience and strengthened regional cooperation. Ultimately, the long-term impact of the EACRF's deployment and its withdrawal from the DRC remains to be seen.

Capt. Kato Ahmad Hassan: "The UPDF troops have finally received orders to pull out of the violence-plagued eastern DRC... The withdrawal will be conducted in a phased manner..." DRC government spokesperson: "DRC's decision not to extend the EACRF mandate is based on the need to find more effective solutions... We remain committed to working with the international community...")