The East African Community heads of state have resolved to extend the mandate of the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) to stay in the Democratic Republic of Congo for three months.
The decision was made in Nairobi on Tuesday, following a meeting between Presidents William Ruto (Kenya), Evariste Nayishimiye (Burundi), Salva Kiir (South Sudan), Paul Kagame (Rwanda) and Samia Suluhu (Tanzania).
The meeting also included Prime Minister Jean Sama (DRC) and the first Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda Rebecca Kadaga.
"The heads of state agreed to extend the duration of the mandate of the EACRF and the status of the forces agreement for a further period of three months as from September 9, 2023, to December 8, 2023, pending an evaluation report from the council of ministers," a statement from the East African Community reads.
The current mandate of the EACRF was to end on September 8, following an extension that was made on May 31, 2023.
The force is made up of Kenyan, Ugandan, Burundian and South Sudanese soldiers.
Its troops were first deployed in November 2022, in response to an advance by the M23 rebels in the Eastern region of the DRC.
In August, EAC Defence ministers unanimously supported the call to have the EACRF remain focused on its mandate to support DRC in restoring peace.
An Extraordinary Security meeting held in Nairobi also considered the progress of the Regional Force in restoring security.
The ministerial meeting noted that insecurity continues in areas where withdrawal has not been achieved.
