The extraordinary Summit of the East African Community (EAC) Heads of State over the weekend resolved that all troop-contributing countries to the East African Regional Force deploy troops to the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to help pacify the region.
The decision was taken at the 20th extraordinary Summit of the East African Heads of State held in Burundi’s capital, Bujumbura on Saturday.
“The Summit directed all troop-contributing countries to immediately deploy and urged DRC to immediately facilitate the deployment of troops from the Republic of South Sudan and the Republic of Uganda to the East African Regional Force,” the joint communique issued after the meeting read in part.
The meeting was attended by Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, DRC’s Felix Tshisekedi, Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, Kenyan president William Ruto and South Sudan’s EAC Affairs Minister, Deng Alor Kuol.
Burundi was the first EAC country to deploy troops in South Kivu to hunt down Red Tabara rebels who have been attacking settlements in Burundi.
Kenya would later deploy 900 troops in Goma in North Kivu.
South Sudan and Uganda were expected to deploy troops late last year however, this was yet to happen.
The summit observed that the security situation in eastern DRC is a Regional matter that can only be sustainably resolved through a political process and highlighted the need for enhanced dialogue among all parties.
The communique further reads that the Heads of State directed an immediate ceasefire by all parties, withdrawal including all foreign armed groups, and that violations be reported to the Chairperson of the Summit for immediate consultation with members of the Summit.
The 750-strong South Sudanese battalion expected to join a regional force fighting a rebel offensive in the eastern part of the DRC is yet to leave the country.
Last month, the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) spokesperson, Major General Lul Ruai Koang, told Radio Tamazuj that the force destined for DRC was in Mundri in Western Equatoria State processing their travel documents.
“They are there processing their travel documents, age assessments, nationality, and passports. So when they are done with processing of their documents that is when they will start being airlifted to Congo,” he said. “Most likely they will fly from Western Equatoria to Goma in DRC because there is no direct route.”
Asked when the army will travel, Gen. Ruai said, “I do not know but it will not take long because these people are not many. It won’t take long.”