Jan 27

Jan 27 Key reasons for involvement of South Africa and Kenyan troops in DRC?

Introduction

South Africa and Kenya have deployed soldiers to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for different reasons and under different mandates, though both aim to address the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC.

South African Deployment

South Africa has deployed troops as part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in DRC (SAMIDRC). This deployment began in December 2023 and is separate from the African Union’s initiatives. The motivation behind SADC and South Africa’s involvement is not entirely clear, but it appears to be in response to the deteriorating security situation in eastern DRC.

Kenyan Deployment and Withdrawal

Kenya had previously deployed troops as part of the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) in 2022. The EACRF was tasked with supporting the Congolese military and creating buffer zones in areas previously dominated by armed groups.

However, Kenya was asked to withdraw its troops in December 2023. This decision was made by the 23rd Ordinary Summit of EAC Heads of State, which decided not to renew the EACRF mandate beyond December 8, 2023. The reasons for this decision are not explicitly stated in the search results, but it appears there were disagreements between the DRC government and the EAC about the force’s mandate.

Current Situation

It’s important to note that this is not a military coup. The current situation is a complex conflict involving the M23 rebel group, which is allegedly supported by Rwanda, fighting against the Congolese army (FARDC). The conflict has escalated significantly in recent weeks, with M23 rebels advancing towards Goma, the capital of North Kivu province.

African Union’s Role

While the African Union (AU) is involved in diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict, the troop deployments are not direct AU initiatives. The AU Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, has expressed deep concern over the situation and called for adherence to ceasefire agreements. The AU supports the Luanda process, led by Angola’s President João Manuel Lourenço, which aims to mediate between DRC and Rwanda.

Conclusion

The involvement of South African and Kenyan troops in DRC is part of broader regional efforts to address the ongoing conflict, rather than a direct African Union initiative. The withdrawal of Kenyan troops was due to the end of the EACRF mandate, while South African troops remain as part of SAMIDRC. The situation remains volatile, with ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.

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