M23 Seek to Retake Territory as East African Force Withdraws from DRC

Summary:

• M23 rebels plan to reclaim areas from the departing East African Community Regional Force in North Kivu, despite the DRC government’s decision not to renew the mandate, leading to their replacement by troops from the Southern Africa Development Cooperation.

North Kivu, DRC | THE BLACK EXAMINER | The M23 rebels, also known as the March 23 Movement, are strategizing to reclaim all previously held positions relinquished by the departing East African Community Regional Force. The deployment of troops from Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, and South Sudan in North Kivu province in late 2022 aimed to recapture areas seized by M23 rebels following their victory over the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC). Additionally, the mission sought to establish a buffer zone to prevent further confrontations between M23 rebels and FARDC soldiers, aligning with resolutions endorsed by the East African Regional Heads of State Conclave in Nairobi on April 21, 2022, the Extraordinary Summit of East African Presidents in Bujumbura on February 4, 2023, and decisions made by the Chief of Defense Forces on February 9, 2023, in Nairobi.

Despite the planned withdrawal, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) government has declared its reluctance to renew the mandate, citing accusations that the EAC-Regional Force troops failed to combat M23 rebels effectively. Criticism and protests from locals, activists, and politicians also targeted EAC troops for their perceived inaction against the M23 rebels. In response, the DRC government intends to deploy troops under the Southern Africa Development Cooperation (SADC).

The initial batch of Kenyan troops, the first to enter North Kivu, completed their withdrawal on Sunday, with around 300 troops departing from Goma International Airport. The EACRF troops acknowledged the gradual withdrawal in a released statement.

On Monday, the M23 rebels, represented by their political spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka, declared their intention to reclaim all areas handed over to the EACRF troops. Kanyuka emphasized M23’s opposition to the alleged ethnic cleansing perpetrated by the DRC government through FARDC and militia coalition forces. Despite the regional force’s withdrawal, M23 affirmed its commitment to peacefully resolving conflicts in eastern DRC.

In March 2022, M23, led by Bertrand Bisimwa and General Sultan Makenga, initiated hostilities against the government. The DRC government accuses Rwanda of supporting M23, a claim vehemently denied by both Rwanda and the M23 rebels. The rebels assert that their fight is against poor leadership in the DRC, citing corruption, xenophobia, and discrimination as motivating factors.