East African Community Regional Force (EACRF)

Posted in Nairobi process

The East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) is a multinational force deployed in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in November 2022 to help restore peace and stability in the eastern part of the country.

The Regional Force which is constituted as an East African Community Force derives its mandate from Chapter 23 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC (Articles 124 and 125) and the EAC Protocol on Peace and Security is composed of troops from the Republics of Burundi, Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda. The Republic of Rwanda, DRC and the United Republic of Tanzania participate in the force Headquarters based in GOMA.

The deployment of the EACRF was authorized by the EAC Heads of State at their 22^nd Ordinary Summit held in Arusha, Tanzania, in July 2022. The decision was made in response to the ongoing conflict in Eastern DRC, which has displaced millions of people and caused a humanitarian crisis.

The EACRF was deployed in territories of Masisi, Nyiragongo and Rutshuru in North Kivu, where it has been working in collaboration with the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) to support political process, protection of civilians and enforce peace agreements.

 
Mandate of EACRF

The East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) has the following mandate:

1. Jointly plan and conduct Operations with the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) in the Joint Operations Area (JOA), to defeat the armed groups elements in the Eastern DRC;
   
   
2. Support FARDC in concretizing and maintenance of law and order;
   
   
3. Support DRC in collaboration with humanitarian agencies to continue humanitarian relief to population affected by Armed Groups Elements activities including Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs); and
   
   
4. Support in the Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Recovery and Stabilization Program (P-DDRCS).

Achievements of the Military Track

1. Full deployment of EACRF troops in the Joint Operation Area;
   
   
2. Joint Planning and conduct of operations with FARDC;
   
   
3. Intelligence sharing and coordination with MONUSCO and FARDC;
   
   
4. Protection of Civilians in the Joint Operation Area (JOA) and dominance patrols;
   
   
5. Facilitation of the return of Humanitarian Agencies to offer humanitarian support to local population;
   
   
6. Facilitation of verification missions by the Joint Bureau in EACRF JOA;
   
   
7. Humanitarian Assistance such as maternal health, Casualty Evacuation and medical care;
   
   
8. Recce to Rumangabo Pre-cantonment site in support to the P-DDRCS; and
   
   
9. Partial opening of Goma-Rutshuru (RN2), Bunagana-Rutshuru (RN28) and Sake-Kitchanga-Mweso (RP1030) Main Supply Routes enhancing free movement of people, goods and services.

EAC-led Nairobi Process Facilitator

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The East African Community (EAC)-Led Nairobi Process facilitator plays a critical role in the peace process aimed at finding a lasting solution to the conflict in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

During the 22^nd Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State held on 22^nd July, 2022 the Nairobi Process was mainstreamed into the EAC by invoking the Provision of Article 4 of the EAC Protocol on Peace and Security.

President (Rtd) of the Republic of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta was appointed by the EAC Heads of State as the Facilitator to champion peace and oversee the implementation of the Nairobi Process. The Summit approved the Terms of Reference for the EAC Facilitator and directed that a special Fund be established to support the implementation of the process.

Mandate of the Office of the Facilitator

The mandate of the Office of the Facilitator of the EAC-led Nairobi Process is to champion peace and oversee the implementation of the Nairobi Process as provided for in the Modality for the Establishment and Functioning of the EAC Panel of Eminent Persons and for the Deployment of Special Envoys/ Representatives.

Under the guidance of the Chairperson of the EAC Summit of Heads of State, and with the support of special envoys, the Facilitator shall among other important tasks:

1. Ensure sustenance of the high level political dialogue among Congolese and expeditiously facilitate the talks with a view to sustainably address all contentious issues and resolve the security challenges;
   
   
2. Provide political leadership to the Military interventions within the context of the Nairobi Process and coordination with MONUSCO;
   
   
3. Ensure that the inter-Congolese dialogue is as inclusive as possible, involving all parties to the conflict in the Eastern DRC among others;
   
   
4. Determine the appropriate methodology and practical modalities for the functioning of the Inter Congolese dialogue process including:
   • Determine the agenda of the dialogue sessions, the timeframe for the discussions, participation and the venues.
   • Establish rules of procedure for the dialogue.
   • Determine the composition and expertise of the Facilitator’s team, which may include: a political team (Eminent persons and Senior Advisors from EAC, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), African Union (AU) and United Nations (UN), a Technical team (support staff/experts and resource persons). The EAC Secretariat, ICGLR Secretariat, AU and UN could provide some of the requisite support staff/experts.

5. Engage with all key regional and international partners to ensure sustained political, diplomatic and financial support for the success of the Nairobi Process; and
   
   
6. Closely work with the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the EAC Partner States and provide status briefing to the EAC Summit, the AU and UN whenever the Facilitator deems necessary and/or upon request.

The Military Track of the Nairobi Process

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The military track of the Nairobi Process is focused on supporting the DRC government in its efforts to attain sustainable peace and security.

The EAC Heads of State decided on the deployment of a Regional Force to help contain local and foreign armed groups within the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Regional Force which is constituted as an East African Community Force derives its mandate from Chapter 23 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC (Articles 124 and 125) and the EAC Protocol on Peace and Security is composed of troops from the Republics of Burundi, Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda. The Republic of Rwanda, DRC and the United Republic of Tanzania participate in the force Headquarters based in GOMA.

The Military track has a number of components, including:

• Deployment of the EACRF:
  Regional force deployed in eastern DRC in to help restore peace and security.
  
  
• Training and support for the DRC Armed Forces:
  Provision of training and support to the DRC Armed Forces (FARDC) to help combat local and foreign armed groups.
  
  
• Intelligence sharing:
  Sharing of intelligence with the DRC government and other stakeholders to help them track down armed groups and prevent attacks.

The Political Track of the Nairobi Process

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The political track of the Nairobi Process is focused on facilitating dialogue between the DRC government and armed groups. The dialogue is aimed at facilitating ceasefire, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of armed groups, and the return of displaced people to their homes.

The political track has a number of mechanisms in place to facilitate dialogue, including:

• Consultations:
  The EAC conducts consultations with the DRC government, armed groups, civil society organizations, and the international community on a regular basis. These consultations are aimed at identifying the root causes of the conflict and developing solutions.
  
  
• Workshops:
  The EAC organizes workshops to bring together representatives of the DRC government, armed groups, civil society organizations, and the international community to discuss specific issues related to the conflict.
  
  
• Meetings:
  The EAC facilitates meetings between the DRC government and armed groups to discuss and negotiate agreements.

The Republic of Kenya hosted the first Inter Congolese Dialogue (Nairobi I) in Nairobi Kenya from 22^nd to 28^th April, 2022. The Dialogue was intended to provide an opportunity to representatives of Local Armed Groups in Eastern DRC to be listened to by the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, as part of the quest to find a lasting solution to the insecurity in Eastern DRC. A total of 25 armed groups participated in the Nairobi Dialogue.

Further consultations between the Government of DRC, Armed Groups and Communities were held in the Eastern DRC from 15^th to 25^th May, 2022 (Nairobi II). The consultations were held in; Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu, specifically; Goma, Beni, Bunia and Bukavu. Consultation were held with fifty-six( 56) local armed groups, representatives of forty (40) local communities including an Ituri Women’s Association and religious representatives in Beni.

The Third Inter-Congolese dialogue (Nairobi III), under the East African Community (EAC-Led Nairobi Process), commenced on 28^th November, 2022 at the Nairobi Safari Park Hotel, in Nairobi. The consultations included local armed groups and civil society representatives. In total,  forty two (42) armed groups’ representatives and  seventeen (17) representatives from the civil society groups participated in the consultations.