As part of a regional military campaign targeting rebels in the conflict-torn area, Kenyan soldiers arrived in the city of Goma in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo on Saturday.
Their arrival coincides with the M23 militia’s advance across the North Kivu region of the DRC, seizing large areas of land and escalating tensions in central Africa.
Kenya’s parliament this week authorized the sending of a little over 900 soldiers to the DRC as part of an EAC-wide military force (EAC).
According to AFP reporters who were present, two planes carrying roughly 100 Kenyan soldiers landed at Goma airport on Saturday and were welcomed by authorities from the area.
According to Lieutenant-Colonel Obiero, a Kenyan commander, their job is to work with Congolese forces “to execute offensive operations” and aid in the disarmament of militias.
To restore peace to the eastern DRC, the Kenyan contingent will also collaborate with aid organizations, he continued, noting that insecurity “is something which rips up the societal fabric.”
Eastern Congo is home to more than 120 armed organizations, many of which are a result of local conflicts that erupted at the turn of the century.
renewed rebels
On Friday, there was intense combat between the army and the M23 in Rugari, North Kivu, and electricity was cut in Goma, a significant commercial centre with a population of around a million.
diplomatic initiatives
Relations between the DRC and its smaller neighbour Rwanda, which Kinshasa accuses of supporting the M23, have deteriorated as a result of the M23’s comeback.
For example, Kinshasa recalled its envoy from Kigali and dismissed Rwanda’s ambassador at the end of last month.
To ease tensions in the eastern DRC, diplomatic attempts are being made concurrently with the EAC’s military action.
The president of Angola, Joao Lourenco, paid a visit to Rwanda on Friday and is scheduled to arrive in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Saturday.
Uhuru Kenyatta, a former president of Kenya, is also anticipated to have discussions in the DRC’s capital on Sunday.
In June, the seven member states of the East African Community resolved to establish a regional military force to bring peace to the DRC.
The unit will be commanded by a Kenyan. Its extent and total size, however, are still unknown.
(AFP)
