Kenya sent troops to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to join a UN peacekeeping force tasked with restoring calm in the country’s restive eastern region, the military announced on Sunday August 25.
The first batch of the fourth contingent of the Kenya Quick Reaction Force (KENQRF 4) was officially sent to the Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday, marking the start of their peacekeeping mission in the country, the Kenya Defense Force said in a statement.
The force will be engaged in operations against armed groups, protecting civilians, supporting humanitarian efforts, and aiding in the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of former combatants, according to the statement.
The force will join the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), which is focused on stabilizing the eastern regions of the country, where armed groups continue to cause havoc.
Lt. Col. Simon Seda, the commander of KENQRF 4, expressed confidence that the troops were well prepared for the mission and would make a significant impact in their deployment.
“Our men and women are prepared for the task ahead.
They have undergone rigorous training and are equipped with the necessary skills to execute this mission effectively.
We are committed to contributing to the restoration of peace and stability in the DRC,” he said.
For nearly three decades, eastern Congo has been facing insecurity posed by several armed groups, with thousands of people living in camps in the two most conflict-affected provinces of North Kivu and Ituri.
About 6.9 million people are estimated to have been driven out of their homes by conflict since March 2022.
Amid the hostilities, several African countries now have troops in Congo, including Burundi, Uganda, South Africa, Tanzania, and Malawi.
KENQRF 4 will join the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), which is focused on stabilizing the eastern regions of the DRC where armed groups continue to cause instability.
This deployment comes at a crucial time, as MONUSCO intensifies its efforts in the protection of civilians, Security Sector Reform, and the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration of combatants.
KENQRF 4 will be engaged in operations against armed groups, protecting civilians, supporting humanitarian efforts, and aiding in the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of former combatants, a task that the previous contingents have successfully performed.
In a separate event, Brigadier Kapkory welcomed home the first batch of KENQRF 3 troops returning from the DRC.
He praised the returning troops for their stellar efforts in stabilizing the eastern part of the DRC.
He also commended their professionalism in executing their mandate and upholding the highest standards of discipline in accordance with the UN code of conduct, which enabled them to achieve their objectives in their area of operation.
Kenya has a long and distinguished history in United Nations peacekeeping, underscoring its commitment to regional and global peace and security.
Since gaining independence in 1963, Kenya has been actively involved in various peacekeeping missions under the auspices of the United Nations, earning a reputation for professionalism and effective execution.
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