Africa-Press – Kenya. Third batch of Kenyan troops has been dispatched to Democratic Republic of Congo from the Embakasi Garrison, Nairobi.
They will join their colleagues who left the country two weeks ago under the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) to fight M23 rebels in DRC.
Their departure of the KDF was commissioned Deputy Commander, Kenya Army Major General Peter Muteti.
Through a statement, Muteti said the first batch is making big strides in bringing peace in the Eastern partof DRC, urging them to be good ambassadors KDF as it has been the custom in all its previous missions.
“KDF is a professional, credible, mission-capable Force and we are proud of our brand. When we say you’re an arrowhead, we mean it since we believe in you. Let our motto of mission readiness be alive,” he said.
He relayed his message of goodwill to the soldiers during their tour of duty and exuded confidence that the Kenyan troops shall return to the country victorious having neutralised the threat.
The team is about 903 to be deployed to the region to help contain the fighting that has displaced many.
President William Ruto ordered the deployment of soldiers from KDF to join a regional peacekeeping mission.
The Kenyan troops will join others from Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania on the mission in Eastern DRC.
Tensions between DR Congo and Rwanda are at their highest in years, with the DRC accusing its neighbour of backing the M23, charges the Rwandan government denies.
The mostly Congolese Tutsi group, the M23 (the March 23 Movement) leapt to prominence in 2012 when it briefly captured Goma before being driven out.
After lying dormant for years, the rebels took up arms again in late 2021, claiming the DRC had failed to honour a pledge to integrate them into the army, among other grievances.
The resurgence has ratcheted up diplomatic tensions, with the DRC accusing its smaller neighbour Rwanda of backing the group.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta is leading peace talks in the region.
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