EAC defense ministers propose extension of forces in DRC

Defense ministers from East Africa in the Community have proposed for the extension of security forces in Democratic Republic of Congo until peace and stability is restored.

EACRF comprises of troops drawn from Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and South Sudan.

Defense Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said that the proposal of the East African Community Regional Forces follows the gains in efforts to restore peace among the warring groups in the volatile Eastern DRC region.

He said the Defence ministers discussed a range of regional security concerns with a focus on the situation in the Eastern DRC and noted the need for the extension of the force mandate given the relative calm in the country.

Duale said Kenya being one of the Troops Contributing Countries welcomed this move and committed to support the quest for peace in the economic development of the DRC.

Present in the meeting were Ministers of Defense Alain Tribert Mutabazi (Burundi and Chair of EAC Council of Defense Ministers), Stergomena Lawrence (Tanzania), Vincent Ssempijja (Uganda), Jean-Pierre Bemba (DRC) and Representative of South Sudan.

On September this year, the EAC Heads of States resolved to extend the mandate of EACRF to stay in the DRC for a further three months.

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