EAC Heads of State extend the mandate of the EAC Regional Force in the DRC
8th August, 2023: On August 8, 2023, the Heads of State of the East African Community (EAC) extended the mandate of the EAC Regional Force (EACRF) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by an additional three months, until December 8, 2023 pending an evaluation report from the Council of Ministers.
The decision was made at the 22nd Extraordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State held in Nairobi, Kenya.
The Heads of State took note of the operational milestones by the EAC regional force in restoring security in eastern DRC.
The EACRF was first deployed to the eastern DRC in November 2021 with the mandate to help stabilize the region and support the Congolese government in its efforts to defeat armed groups. The force has been credited with making significant progress in achieving its objectives, including helping to facilitate a months-long ceasefire between the Congolese army and the dominant rebel group M23.
The three-month extension of the EACRF's mandate is a sign of the EAC's commitment to supporting peace and security in the eastern DRC.