DEPLOYMENT OF TROOPS FROM THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA AND THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN TO THE EAC REGIONAL FORCE

Posted in Official Statement

EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY

PRESS STATEMENT

DEPLOYMENT OF TROOPS FROM THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA AND THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN TO THE EAC REGIONAL FORCE

East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 30^th March, 2023: The Extra-Ordinary Meeting of the East African Community (EAC) Chiefs of Defence Forces/Staffs (CDF/CDS) was convened on 23^rd March, 2023 in Bujumbura, Burundi, to review the implementation of the Heads of State Directives of the 20^th Extra-Ordinary Summit held on 4^th February, 2023 in Bujumbura, Burundi, and evaluate the security situation in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

During the deliberations on the ceasefire and withdrawal by the armed groups, the EAC Partner States’ Chiefs of Defence Forces confirmed that the EAC Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (EAC-MVM) has already been deployed. The Republics of Uganda and South Sudan Contingents on Wednesday, 29^th March, 2023 deployed to their respective sectors in Eastern DRC.

The EAC welcomes this full deployment of the EAC Regional Force in Eastern DRC to support the ceasefire and the restoration of peace and stability in Eastern DRC.

The EAC further welcomes the deploying of the EAC-MVM to monitor and verify the ceasefire and withdrawal by all Armed Groups.

The EAC Secretariat continues to support the restoration of peace and stability in Eastern DRC.

I urge all parties to the conflict to continue implementing the ceasefire directive, observe the withdrawal timelines and join the political process as directed by the 20^th Extra-Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State.

Hon. (Dr.) Peter Mutuku Mathuki
EAC Secretary General