Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) troops have started withdrawing from the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo after fulfilling their mission under the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF).
“UPDF has finally completed crossing the border at Bunagana back to Uganda after withdrawing from the mission area in Eastern DRC,” the army said Wednesday in a short statement on X.
It added: “The Ugandan force deployed in DRC under the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF). Welcome back home the gallant pan-African Force.”
This follows a meeting of military chiefs from the EAC troop-contributing countries in Arusha to assess the departure programme after their mandate ended formally on December 8.
They agreed to a month-long drawdown, hoping for an official handover to incoming troops from the Southern Africa Development Cooperation (SADC), reported The East African.
The East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) will have left the territory of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) entirely by January 8, 2024, allowing local authorities to secure the troubled east.
Kenya was the first to withdraw 300 troops, and 287 South Sudanese were expected to arrive home by the end of the day Friday.
Uganda and Burundi contingents will continue their withdrawal and backloading of equipment by air and road.
UPDF hailed for exemplary service
On Monday, the Force Commander (FC) EACRF Maj Gen Aphaxard Kiugu in the company of Colonel Jok Akech and other Staff Officers, commended the Ugandan Contingent (UGACON) troops for their exemplary service, during his command visit to Kiwanja, Rutshuru territory.
The FC was received by the UGACON Commander Col Michael Hyeroba who briefed him on the status of implementation of the Exit Plan approved by the East African Community (EAC) Defence Forces/Staff in an extraordinary meeting held on December 6, 2023, in Arusha.
The FC commended the UGACON Commander for his great leadership and by extension Officers and Soldiers for their professionalism in executing the EACRF mandate during the period of deployment in Kiwanja, Bunagana, Chengerero and Mabenga, all in Rutshuru Territory, North Kivu.
“You were deployed here because of the prevailing security situation. Kiwanja and others were ghost towns when you deployed, but your presence and peace support operations enabled the resumption of farming, reopening of schools and conduct of businesses”, said the FC.
He took cognizance of UGACON’s efforts to ensure free movement of goods, people and services, limited humanitarian assistance, and medical support to locals. He commended them for implementing FC’s directive on environmental conservation where UGACON planted over 3000 trees.
The FC noted that EACRF was able to create a conducive environment for peace to prevail by having M23 withdraw to designated areas and maintain the ceasefire between them and FARDC until its breach in October, an action that reversed the gains that have so far been realised.
He informed the troops that they should go home happy because they performed as was expected of them and reminded the Contingent that the citizens of DRC will always remain EAC brothers who deserve to live in a peaceful environment even after EACRF’s exit.
The UGACON Commander thanked the FC and the EACRF Headquarters for the guidance and support accorded to his contingent while on the mission.
