The East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) Commander Maj Gen Aphaxard Kiugu Monday 22 visited Rumangabo and Kibumba Forward Operating Bases (FOBs).
It was the first such visit by Maj Gen Kiugu who was in the company of the Deputy Force Commander (DFC) Intelligence and Operations – Brigadier Emmanuel Kaputa, DFC Administration and Logistics – Brig Gen Ndorarigonya Gregoire, Chief of Staff – Brig Gen Michael Kibuye and other Force Headquarter Staff Officers
At Rumangabo, he was received by the Kenyan Contingent (KENCON) Commander Col Daniel Rotich and his South Sudanese (SSUDCON) counterpart Lt Col Gabriel Bulo, both of whom appraised him on the security situation of their respective areas of responsibility as well as the, the ongoing and future operational plans.
Maj Gen Kiugu stressed the need to remain focused on the implementation of the EACRF mandate and adhere to the Status of Forces Agreement, Concept of Operations, and Rules of Engagement in all operations they are engaged in.
He reiterated the need for the troops to remain committed and resilient towards executing their duties and respect the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) constitution and her sovereignty at all times.
“You should work together harmoniously towards the success of this mission. Remain objective and focused in all assigned tasks, key among them the protection of civilians, opening up of the Bunagana-Rutshuru-Rumangabo-Kibumba-Goma Main Supply Route to facilitate free movement of people and goods, and aid humanitarian assistance within your Area of Operation,” said Maj Gen Kiugu.
At Kibumba, the Commanding Officer Col Dennis Obiero took the new Force Commander through the security trends since deployment in the area, highlighting the progress achieved.
Man Gen Kiugu urged the commanding officer to maintain the tempo, facilitating humanitarian aid to the local population and nurturing a positive relationship with the population through the ‘nyumba kumi’ initiative created to enhance security.
He further commended the troops for the significant milestones achieved since deployment.
“I have no doubt that by working together we will solve the problems we face, I urge you all to speak one language towards the success of the mission and maintain discipline.
We shall do our best to support you from the Force Headquarters in the ongoing peace and stability efforts in Eastern DRC.”
This was aimed at boosting their morale and assessing the progress, achievements, and needs of the mission.
This came as Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi last week gave the biggest warning yet that the EACRF will have to leave the country by June if they are not effective on the ground.
On a visit to Gaborone in Botswana, where he has pushed for a plan B from the Southern African Development Cooperation (SADC) to send troops, the Congolese head of state accused the EACRF of ‘cohabiting’ with rebels after the regional troops declined to enter combat.
“The head of state said that under the terms of the EACRF’s mandate, by next June, if the results of its mission are not satisfactory, this contingent, which came to the rescue of the DRC, will have to leave Congolese territory for good,” the Congolese presidency said of his meeting with Botswana counterpart Mokgweetsi Masisi.
“The mandate of EACRF is ending in June, if by that time we assess that the mandate was not fulfilled, we will send those contingents home with honor and thank them for having tried to bring their share of contribution to peace in DRC.”
The EACRF, first deployed in November, includes troops from Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, and South Sudan.
Their Status of Force Agreement (SOFA), a pact between Kinshasa and the East African Community secretariat, initially gave them a mandate of six months which expired in March.
The EACRF says their mandate is peacekeeping and the protection of civilians while also supporting the political track on dialogue.
Tshisekedi revealed that the EAC Secretary-General Peter Mathuki had requested six months more months for the troops.
But DR Congo gave them three months, up to the end of June.
The SOFA, nonetheless, has not been signed to formally extend the mandate yet.
The Congolese president wants SADC troops to fight the M23.
On Monday, a SADC summit in Windhoek, Namibia approved the deployment of its member troops to the DRC, although there was no immediate clarification on which countries would send forces.
Tshisekedi’s office has already announced that the SADC troops will have “an offensive mandate”.
SADC had once deployed troops to eastern DRC but still failed to end the menace of armed groups.
And a UN experts panel accused the Southern Africa mission at the time of contributing to looting.
“We have accepted the EARCF to accompany FARDC to impose peace by trying to stop M23, which Rwanda supports.
But, unfortunately, we have noticed certain contingents among this force, except Burundi, who is putting all the efforts into the mission as it was defined; other contingents are now living with M23, collecting taxes in the zone that they are illegally occupying.
That’s a genuine problem, and it also compels us to question the purpose of the EAC mission.”
In the DRC, many are calling on the Congolese president to rely on the “natural allies” of the SADC.
In 1998, Zimbabwean, Namibian, and Angolan troops intervened to stop the advance of the RCD rebels in Kivu and Kinshasa.
Last month, EACRF’s commander Maj-Gen Jeff Nyagah left his station in unclear circumstances.
And his replacement has not reported to duty yet.
“We also have some officers of EACRF who, when they reached DRC, said that they were not coming to fight M23, which was not part of the plan. That was General Jeff’s problem,” said Tshisekedi.
