President Uhuru Kenyatta has called for the deployment of the East African Regional force to Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in a bid to address the growing insecurity.
The president, in his capacity as the chairman of the East African Community (EAC), called for immediate cessation of all hostilities, even as he urged armed groups to lay down their weapons.
In a statement, President Kenyatta pushed for a disarmament process in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces adding that the listed areas should be declared as weapons free zones.
“The East African Regional Force shall be deployed to the Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces immediately to stabilize the zone and enforce peace in support of the DRC security forces and in close coordination with United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission (MONUSCO),” the statements reads in part.
He further called for commitment to find lasting peace in DRC even as he urged the political leadership in the region to help restore peace and stability.
This comes as regional commanders of the respective Defence Forces are set to meet in Nairobi on Sunday 19th June 2022 to finalize preparations to undertake the deployment of the regional force.
In April this year, the seven-member East African Community (EAC) made a pact to form a joint force, besides adopting the 21st April 2022 Communiqué, outlining measures to promote peace, stability and development in Eastern DRC and the greater East African region.
