The Kenyan military announced on Sunday that it had deployed troops to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to participate in a UN peacekeeping mission to stabilise the country’s volatile eastern region.
The Kenya Defence Forces stated that the initial group of the fourth contingent of the Kenya Quick Reaction Force (KENQRF 4) was formally dispatched to the Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday, marking the commencement of their peacekeeping assignment in the nation.
According to the statement, the force will combat armed groups, safeguard civilians, support humanitarian endeavours, and assist in the disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration of former fighters.
The force will join the UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), specifically focusing on bringing stability to the eastern regions of the country, where armed groups are still causing chaos.
Lt. Col. Simon Seda, commander of KENQRF 4, affirmed his confidence in the troops’ readiness for the mission and their potential to affect deployment substantially.
“Our men and women are prepared for the task ahead. They have undergone rigorous training and have the necessary skills to execute this mission effectively. We are committed to restoring peace and stability in the DRC,” he said.
For almost 30 years, the eastern part of DR Congo has been dealing with insecurity caused by multiple armed groups, resulting in thousands of individuals residing in camps in the two most conflict-affected provinces of North Kivu and Ituri.
Since March 2022, an estimated 6.9 million people have been forced from their homes by the conflict.
Amid the hostilities, DR Congo now has troops from various African countries, such as Burundi, Uganda, South Africa, Tanzania, and Malawi.