Burundi to deploy troops to DRC in efforts to restore peace

Burundi is set to send its troops to the East African Regional Force in DRC in an effort to help restore peace in the region.

The decision was confirmed through their Chief of Defence Forces, noting it was in line with the roadmap set by the EAC Chiefs of Defence Forces/Staffs (CDF/CDS) who met in Nairobi on February 9.

An East African Community statement noted that all other EAC troops would be deployed within an agreed time frame.

The goal of the troops is to find a sustainable solution that will provide a framework for the restoration of peace and security in Eastern DRC.

“The timeline of constituting and deploying the EAC Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (EAC- MVM) to monitor and verify the ceasefire and withdrawal by all Armed Groups, was set for February 28, 2023,” the statement read.

EAC Partner States have since identified members of the EAC Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (EAC-MVM).

They will join other existing mechanisms such as the Ad-hoc Verification Mechanism and Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism in Eastern DRC.

The East Africa Community Chiefs of Defence Forces meeting in Nairobi also agreed on the deployment of EACRF to areas earmarked for M23 phased withdrawal and the protection of civilians in areas vacated by M23.

The statement of the EAC noted that its goal to find a sustainable solution to the restoration of peace and security in Eastern DRC has received support from across the globe with the African Union Peace and Security Council committing funds to support EACs peacemaking efforts in Eastern DRC.

“The EAC remains committed to the utilisation of existing regional and global frameworks to address the security crisis and reiterates the EAC Heads of State's call for an immediate ceasefire, withdrawal of all armed groups in eastern DRC and embracing of dialogue,” the statement read.