East African Force Withdrawal from DRC

The East African force deployed in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been withdrawn by Kinshasa, with nearly a thousand Burundian soldiers leaving Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu. The force, which ended its mandate on 8 December, includes 250 South Sudanese and 300 Kenyan soldiers.

Meanwhile, the Burundian army spokesman, Colonel Floribert Biyereke, stated that the withdrawal began on Friday and was carried out by military lorries that passed through Rwanda before arriving in Burundi. The force also includes Ugandan troops, who are also due to leave in the coming weeks.

However, the Burundian army declined to comment on the presence of Burundian army battalions in the east of the DRC under bilateral agreements with Kinshasa.

The departure of the regional force comes as fighting continues between the M23 and the Congolese army, supported by “patriot” militiamen. The general elections, scheduled for 20 December, are unable to be held in two territories in North Kivu due to the M23 rebellion.