The Force Commander for the East African Community Regional Force in DRC Major General Jeff Nyagah has called on armed groups in the troubled Kivu region to cease hostilities against locals.
In a press statement on Wednesday, General Nyagah said the EACRF mandate gives priority to the political process that is currently ongoing.
"We have been mandated to support DRC in collaboration with humanitarian agencies to continue humanitarian relief to populations affected by armed group activities including Internally Displaced Persons,” he said.
He spoke after the arrival of additional Kenyan troops under EACRF at the Force Headquarters in Goma.
The team was received at Goma International Airport by the Deputy Chief of the Army General Staff in charge of operations Major General Shiko Tambwe, and Kenyan Ambassador to DRC Ambassador George Masafu among other representatives from both countries.
Maj Gen Nyagah assured the local and international community that the EACRF troops will respect the rule of law and the Constitution of the DRC in accordance with their training.
He added that the force is optimistic, determined and has the capacity to execute its mandate as outlined in the Status of Forces Agreement.
“I appeal to the local population, the media, and the international community to support this important cause by the East African Community in the quest to restore peace and stability in the eastern DRC,” the force commander said.
The Kenya and DRC military leadership held an indoor meeting with key leadership and security stakeholders within the precincts of Goma airport before proceeding to the Force Headquarters.
The first batch of Kenyan troops arrived in DRC last Saturday on a mission to restore peace in the war-torn Kivu region where a resurgent of conflict by rebel groups has displaced many.
The deployment of the troops followed National Assembly Defence committee's approval on President William Ruto's request.
The Kenyan troops are on the peace mission together with their EACRF counterparts from Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Renewed conflict erupted in North Kivu province on Friday after the M23 rebel group clashed with DR Congo troops.
