The Ugandan Contingent (UGACON) troops under the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) have completed their exit from the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following the expiry of the Force mandate on December 8, 2023.
The UGACON troops were deployed in Mabenga, Chengerero, Kiwanja and Bunagana in Rutshuru territory, North Kivu.
According to UGACON Commander, Col Walaka Hyeroba, all troops and the country-owned equipment exited DR Congo’s soil on December 14, 2023.
He said that his forces worked closely with the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the local population and expressed regret over the premature withdrawal of EACRF.
He cited the Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Recovery and Stabilization Programme (PDDRCS) that was yet to commence as the most critical phase of the EACRF mission that would have led to cessation of hostilities.
The exit of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) follows Kinshasa’s decision not to extend the mandate of the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) beyond December 8.
The pull-out of army operational forces and equipment in a phased manner, gradual, orderly, and sequentially deployed in March (2023) will end on January 7, 2024.
“UPDF will ensure to expedite the pull-out of its forces and equipment within the approved timelines as enshrined in the extra ordinary meeting of EAC CDFS (Chief of Defense Forces) held on Dec. 6,” Capt. Ahmad Hassan Kato, UPDF’s contingent spokesperson, told Xinhua News Agency.
The CDF’s meetings in Arusha, Tanzania, upheld DRC’s decision and recommended to EAC defence ministers that EACRF officially ceases operations in the vast eastern region of the country, with immediate effect from December 8.
However, Uganda troops deployed in eastern DRC in a joint military operation codenamed “Operation Shujaa” with their Congolese counterparts, will continue the hunt against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels.