NAIROBI, Kenya Jan 7 – Kenyan forces deployed by the East African Community (EAC) in the troubled eastern DR Congo have overseen the takeover of the strategic territory of Rumagambo, 42kms North of Goma town, after the withdrawal of M23 rebels.
The rebels gave back the key military base on Friday during an event witnessed by a delegation from the Ad Hoc Committee and the Extended Joint Verification Mechanism led by Deputy Force Commander Brigadier General Emmanuel Kaputa.
“The takeover signifies yet another critical milestone in the ongoing efforts to bring peace and stability to Eastern DRC, he said.
The Tutsi-led M23 took over Rumagambo in Novermber 2022.
Brigardier Kaputo stressed the need for all parties to the conflict to embrace the cease-fire as outlined in the Luanda Communiqué of 23rd November 2022 and the subsequent deliberations agreed upon from the Nairobi process.
“There must be an immediate cessation of hostilities against all civilians. They have nothing to do with the ongoing conflict,” he said.
He assured that the safety of the civilians in the region was a priority of the East Africa Community Regional Force (EACRF) troops.
He further appealed to humanitarian agencies and the local leadership to enhance support in the resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
The rebels in December 2022 also withdrew from occupied areas of Kibumba and committed to fully comply with the Luanda communiqué on total withdrawal from areas under their control to the designated areas.
Kenyan soldiers arrived in DRC on November 12 2022, with the Ugandan military later announcing that it would deploy 1,000 troops by the end of November 2022.
The M23, a largely Congolese Tutsi militia, first leapt to prominence 10 years ago when it captured Goma in 2012, before being driven out and going to ground.
But it re-emerged late last year, claiming the DRC had failed to honor a pledge to integrate its fighters into the army, among other grievances.
