Darfur follow-ups
The South Sudan Contingent (SSUDCON) in the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) started exiting from Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Friday, a statement said.
Over 250 SSUDCOM troops exited through Goma International Airport becoming the second contingent to withdraw, days after 300 Kenyan troops left the region.
The troops had shared a zone with the Kenyan Contingent in Rutshuru territory where they jointly conducted operations for the protection of civilians and supporting humanitarian aid.
In a statement, EACRF said the departure aligns with its exit plan, as approved by the Chiefs of Defence Forces/Staff in an extraordinary meeting held in Arusha, Tanzania on Wednesday.
“This decision followed a directive from the 23rd Ordinary Summit, which took place on November 24, 2023, in Arusha, Tanzania where the EAC Heads of State took note of the DRC’s decision not to extend the EACRF mandate beyond December 8, 2023,” the statement noted.
The Kenyan troops left Goma through the airport on Monday morning, days ahead of the official end of the regional force’s mandate.
EACRF, in the statement, confirmed that the remaining troops, including Uganda and Burundi contingents, will continue their withdrawal and back loading of equipment by air and road respectively with the team stationed at EACRF headquarters being the last component to exit Goma.
In an earlier statement, EACRF said the Chiefs of Defence Forces’ meeting in Arusha raised concerns regarding the ongoing clashes in the Joint Operation Area where the force’s troops are deployed and urged the local force FARDC, M23, and other armed groups to cease hostilities to enable a resumption of the peace processes.
“As EACRF prepare to exit from Eastern DRC, the government of DRC has assured the contingents of their commitment to ensure the force enjoys security and the necessary assistance during movement to respective transit locations, Goma International Airport, and through border posts,” it stressed.
