[PHOTOS] Kenyan troops leave DRC after end of mandate

The first batch of Kenyan troops who have been part of the East African Community Regional Force (EAC-RF) left the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday morning.

The exit is in line with the directive of the 23rd Ordinary Summit on EAC Heads of State held on November 24, in Arusha, Tanzania, where the decision not to renew the EACRF mandate beyond December 8, 2023, was made.

The EACRF mandate was to conduct joint operations with the Armed Forces of DRC (FARDC) to defeat armed groups, support the forces in disarmament programs, maintenance of law and order and the provision of humanitarian relief.

Since its inception one year ago, EACRF forces have recorded significant milestones, among them being the successful withdrawal of armed groups to the designated cantonment areas and creating buffer zones in areas that were once dominated by the said groups.

Further, the forces were engaged in humanitarian aid programs that saw the provision of food, water and medical assistance to the locals.

Some 300 soldiers arrived in Kenya on Sunday.