The East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) has initiated the reduction of its military presence in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo ahead of the December 8, 2023, expiration and non-renewal of its mandate. The initial withdrawal involves approximately 300 Kenyan Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers departing from Goma on Sunday morning for Nairobi, with additional withdrawals planned in the coming week following a year of deployment. The phased withdrawal prioritizes non-critical units and the backloading of equipment for transportation by both air and road.

The peace efforts in the DRC remain intricate, with various internal and external interests posing challenges to positive progress. The ceasefire brokered by former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta between rebels and government forces was violated in October. The EACRF is committed to facilitating a smooth transition of the mission to be taken over by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), as mandated by the Heads of States Summit in Arusha last month.

Kenya’s Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla emphasized the importance of focus and collaboration during international missions. He commended the Kenyan contingent for their achievements in Eastern DR Congo, highlighting their pivotal role in protecting civilian lives and restricting armed groups from committing atrocities.

General Ogolla expressed satisfaction with the professionalism and minimal collateral impact of the Kenyan contingent's contributions to the EACRF mission. The recent clashes involving M23 rebels in eastern Congo, drawing in Burundian troops, underscore the complexity of the situation. In a meeting on November 25, 2023, EAC Heads of State directed the Chief of Defence Forces of EAC and SADC to convene before December 8, 2023, and present their recommendations to defense ministers for consideration at the summit.