The East African Community (EAC) Chiefs of Defence Forces/Staff have adopted an exit plan for the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) from the Eastern DRC.
Gen Wilson Mbadi, the Chief of Defence Forces of the UPDF joined his colleagues who convened an extraordinary meeting in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania on Wednesday to address the modalities of the exit following the DRC’s decision not to extend the current mandate, set to expire today.
The CDF/S meeting upheld DRC’s decision and recommended to the EAC Defence Ministers that EACRF officially cease its operations in Eastern DRC, with effect from December 8, 2023.
Further, Troop Contributing Countries are to commence the withdrawal of forces from Eastern DRC in line with the adopted exit plan.
Kenya has already withdrawn 300 personnel with South Sudan expected to withdraw 287 troops by the end of Friday, December 8, the deadline of the stay.
Subsequently, the remaining EACRF troops, including Uganda and Burundi contingents, will continue their withdrawal and backloading of equipment by air and road respectively, from December 8, 2023 to January 7, 2024.
The last component to leave will be the EACRF Headquarters.
The meeting raised concerns regarding the ongoing clashes in the Joint Operation Area where EACRF troops are deployed and urged the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), M23 and other armed groups to cease hostilities to allow the peace processes to continue their mission of finding a lasting solution to the security challenges.
As EACRF prepares to exit from Eastern DRC, the government of DRC has assured the contingents of their commitment to ensuring the force enjoys security and necessary assistance during movement to respective transit locations, Goma International Airport and through border posts.
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