The East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) in eastern Congo is rebuffing incessant calls to fire its first shot at rebels as frustration grows among Congolese civilians citing slow progress. to achieve lasting peace in the troubled region.
But the leaders of the EAC, whose member states are contributing troops to the regional force, say they still prioritize non-military action.
Lately, the Goma police have been busy foiling protests against the EACRF’s alleged “passivity” against rebels accused of committing acts of violence.
EAC Secretary General Peter Mathuki, speaking on the sidelines of an African Union event in Nairobi on Thursday, said the bloc would not back down from peaceful means to resolve the Congo crisis, but added that it could realistically mature between six and 12 months.
sudanese forces
The Congolese have also protested the arrival of the South Sudanese army as part of the EACRF. A 750-strong battalion of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces arrived in December, becoming the fourth country to deploy after Uganda, Kenya and Burundi.
“We urge all citizens to remain calm and patient as we all look to end the conflict. Our intention is not to go into combat or have our region at war, but to see how we all live in peace,” Dr. Mathuki told reporters.
“The process in the eastern DRC must be resolved through political processes; our military is there to reinforce the political process.”
He did not clarify whether the force will issue a new deadline for the M23, having missed the January 15 deadline to abandon all occupied areas, as indicated in the communiqué of the Luanda Mini-Summit of regional leaders last November.
next course of action
Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, facilitator of the Nairobi Peace Process for the DRC, and Major General Jeff Nyagah, commander of the EACRF, participated in a week-long consultative meeting in Mombasa to discuss the next course of action, leaving the military action as the last complex.
“The next step is to continue to push for all interested parties… to come to the table for discussions. We have already had three conclaves and we are going to have the fourth and what I can assure you is that in six and 12 months we will achieve peace in the eastern DRC,” Mathuki said.
“I feel confident that progress is being made to ensure peace and security in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo,” he said.
Major General Nyagah said: “The first priority is the political process, including the Luanda and Nairobi processes. Sometimes war does not necessarily bring peace. There is disarmament and demobilization. Only if both options fail can we move on to an offensive and military option. It’s not just about focusing on the M23. We have more than 120 armed groups here.”
By Mary Wambui and Patrick Ilunga
