Kenya has deployed troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to quell rebel activities.
The seven countries of the East African Community (EAC), which Congo joined this year, agreed in April to set up a joint force to fight all rebel groups. The Task Force under the command of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) soldiers is on a mission to restore peace. DRC however rejected Rwanda from deploying its troops on accusations that it is supporting the March 23 Movement (M23 rebels).
A government security source in Eastern DRC has revealed to our reporter that Kenyan troops will be deployed in North Kivu Province to wipe out the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels from the Bunagana border and neighboring areas in Rutshuru territory.
On Friday, DRC President Félix Tshisekedi revealed that Kenyan troops would step into North Kivu Province soon and fight the M23 rebels. Tshisekedi also confirmed the arrest of Lieutenant General Philémon Yav Irung, Commander of Military operations against M23 rebels explaining that he (Yav) wanted to facilitate the M23’s capture of the town of Goma after discussion with Rwandan soldiers.
It remains unclear if Kenyan troops will set their base on the Ugandan side of Bunagana in Kisoro district, to easily conduct operations in Rutshuru territory since it is in a strategic position.
Fighting between M23 rebels and Congolese troops started in March this year. Rebels captured the Bunagana border on June 13 after over 150 FARDC soldiers who were manning it fled and crossed to Uganda. Since then FARDC soldiers have never returned to the nearby to force re-conquer.
Lieutenant Colonel Ndjike Kaiko Guillaume the army spokesperson in the region only said that the withdrawal was purely tactical so as not to cause casualties on the civilian side.
Authorities in North Kivu province only issued a statement declaring the border as illegal and banning goods crossing from there to Rutshuru, Goma, and other areas.
Last month, Burundi also deployed its troops in Congo to eliminate armed groups in South Kivu province. Burundian troops are mainly targeting the Red Tabara rebels.
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