NEWS – The Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) contingent have successfully completed the withdrawal of its troops from North Kivu, Eastern Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
This withdrawal aligns with the directive of the 23rd Ordinary Summit on EAC Heads of State held on 24th November in Arusha, Tanzania. The decision not to renew EACRF’s mandate beyond 8 December 2023 was made during the Extraordinary Summit of the EAC CDFS on 6 December 2023 in Arusha, guiding the EACRF to withdraw its forces from DRC by 7 January 2024.
The Uganda Contingent initiated the withdrawal operation of peacekeepers from the mission area in DR Congo on 8 December 2023, surpassing the officially mandated deadline of 7 January 2024 by ferrying off non-essential items.
As of now, both the 27th Battalion and 9th Battalion, along with their headquarters and equipment deployed in the EACRF mission, have been successfully withdrawn.
   According to Col Walaka Hyeroba, the last force has been withdrawn, ensuring that no soldiers or equipment were left behind.
Col Hyeroba emphasized the mission’s success, highlighting UPDF UGAcon’s role as specified in the mandate. He noted their authority to protect local people, successfully restoring normalcy to areas like the town of Kiwanja in Rutshuru territory, where business had ceased before their intervention.
UPDF UGAcon collaborated effectively with FARDC Forces and the local populace during the mission.
However, Col Hyeroba expressed concern about the premature withdrawal of EACRF, as the DDR program had yet to start, and armed groups were not disarmed and integrated into the community by the time the mandate expired.
Regarding the conflict in the Eastern part of DRC, Col Michael Walaka emphasized that the problem can only be solved through peaceful dialogue rather than war.
The Source Reports.
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