The East African Community (EAC) regional force led by Kenya has begun its withdrawal from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after Kinshasa accused the force of failing its mission. Following a Summit on 25 November, the EAC announced that the DRC “would not renew the mandate of the regional force beyond 8 December 2023”. A first group of around 100 Kenyan soldiers from the regional force — which also includes Ugandan, Burundian and South Sudanese soldiers — left from Goma airport bound for Nairobi. The forces are leaving amid ongoing fighting between the M23 group and the DRC army. The rebel group indicated on Sunday December 3 that it would retake areas vacated by the regional force following the departure.

Source: The North Africa Journal December 04, 2023 12:59 UTC