In spite of concerns over the $37 million cost for the mission’s initial six months, the Kenyan parliament has approved the deployment of roughly 1,000 troops for a new regional force in eastern Congo.
A report from a parliamentary committee said that the money would be used to support the more than 900 soldiers who will join the East African Community Regional Force. This force will help the Congolese government fight armed groups.
While the nation is dealing with its own security concerns, opposition MPs questioned why Kenya is spending so much money on the regional mission. Kenya also has a large public debt and rising inflation.
On Monday, Kenyan President William Ruto said that the mission was important and needed for the security of the region. Armed group violence in eastern Congo has sparked a diplomatic crisis between the country and its neighbour Rwanda, which both accuse the other of supporting particular organisations.
The main city in eastern Congo, Goma, will serve as the base for the Kenyan army. A Kenyan commander is in charge of the regional force, which also includes two battalions from Uganda, two from Burundi, and one from South Sudan. The force was chosen by heads of state in June.
According to the committee report, there is a chance that the mission will be funded internationally.