DR Congo signs agreement with EAC to deploy joint regional force

President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi of the DRC presided over the signing of the agreement giving green light to the deployment of the EAC Joint Regional Force, led by the Armed Forces of the DRC in Eastern Congo, to fight the “negative forces”.

“My highest wish is for the Regional Force to be successful and allow the country to turn over and focus on the economic and social growth of the country, that will see it transform and shine in front of the world,” President Tshisekedi noted after the signing.

EAC Secretary General, Peter Mathuki and DRC’s Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Christophe Lutundula Apala Pen’Apala signed the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) at the official residence of the President in Kinshasa, DRC.

Mathuki said the agreement is in support of the implementation of the decision of the 22nd summit of the EAC heads of state to deploy a joint regional force to fight the negative forces in the DRC.

“The agreement envisages an initial deployment of the EAC joint regional force for a period of six months after which the deployment will be evaluated,” said Mathuki.

In addition, the Secretary General noted that in order to facilitate the full and effective participation of the DRC in the activities of the Community as provided by the Treaty, the DRC needs to urgently take up six key issues including designation of a Minister responsible for EAC Affairs.

The Force Headquarters has been established and key personnel appointed. These include; EAC Force Commander Major General Jeff Nyagah from Kenya and one of the two deputies Brigadier General Emma Kaputa of the DRC. The region expects substantial force deployment in the upcoming days.

The President dubbed the mission as delicate for the Community and called on the use of diplomacy as agreed on under the Nairobi-process. He further expressed confidence in the leadership of President Uhuru Kenyatta, who was appointed in the 22^nd Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of States, as the facilitator to oversee the implementation of the Nairobi Process as provided for in the modality for the establishment and functioning of the EAC Panel of the Eminent Persons and for the deployment of Special envoys and representatives.