Uganda Army, under EACRF, Starts Withdrawal

Summary:

• Uganda’s military is withdrawing 1,000 troops from the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo as the East African Community Regional Force mandate expires, with the phased withdrawal expected to conclude by January 7, 2024.

The Ugandan military has initiated the withdrawal of 1,000 troops assigned to a regional peacekeeping mission in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) are pulling out following Kinshasa’s decision not to extend the mandate of the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) beyond December 8, as stated in a late Friday military release.

The phased withdrawal of army operational forces and equipment, which began in March 2023, is scheduled to conclude on January 7, 2024. Captain Ahmad Hassan Kato, UPDF’s contingent spokesperson, affirmed that the UPDF would adhere to the approved timelines set in the extraordinary meeting of EAC Chief of Defense Forces (CDFS) on December 6.

The CDFS meeting in Arusha, Tanzania, supported the DRC’s decision and recommended to EAC defense ministers that the EACRF officially cease operations in the vast eastern region of the country, effective immediately from December 8.

The deployment of troops from Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, and South Sudan had been in accordance with the decision endorsed by regional leaders at the third East African Community Heads of State Conclave on Peace and Security in eastern DRC held in Nairobi last June.

Captain Kato urged armed groups in Eastern DRC to observe a total ceasefire to facilitate the safe withdrawal of UPDF troops. Additionally, he mentioned that other troops from Uganda, engaged in a joint military operation with Congolese counterparts, would continue the pursuit against the Allied Democratic Forces rebels in eastern DRC.