The Commander of the East African Regional Force Lieutenant-General Jeff Nyagah has said that he is ready to risk his life to ensure that peace returns to Eastern DRC where the regional troops are deployed to quell unrest there.
Lt-Gen. Nyagah a Kenyan reaffirmed on Saturday in Goma, in a conference co-hosted by the military governor of North Kivu and the commander of the said Force.
“We have received a mandate from the Heads of State to support and protect the territorial integrity of the DRC, and efforts are being made in this regard,” noted Lt-Gen. Nyagah.
He added, “If it is necessary to die for peace to return to the DRC, if it is necessary to shed my blood and that of my deputy Emmanuel Kaputa, I am ready, ready to sacrifice myself.”
“The Regional Force of the Community of East African States (EAC) is an important tool in the pacification of the entire eastern region of the country,” the general said.
The regional force has been credited with persuading the battle hardened M23 fighters to withdraw from vast areas they had seized in a military campaign against the Congolese troops.
However, the EAC regional force faces pressure from both the Congolese government and civil society that want it to attack and neutralize the M23 Fighters.
Lt-Gen. Nyagah said he was encouraged by the cessation of hostilities, in accordance with the Luanda roadmap and the various resolutions of Nairobi.
The M23 rebels resurfaced in November 2021 after the Congolese troops allegedly attacked their bases and took up arms in what they described as self defence that also saw the rebels capturing vast parts of the North Kivu provincial territory.
By June 2022, the rebels had captured Bunagana border town close to Uganda. However, the rebels have said they have started withdrawing from the town and allowing the regional force to take over control of the town.
The Uganda Peoples Defence Force contingent of the regional force deployed in the area on April 2.
“We deployed in the general areas of Bunagana where we set a foothold as we give M23 time to also vacate the general areas of Rutshuru, Kiwanja & Mabenga as agreed,” said Brig Gen Felix Kulayigye the spokesperson of the UPDF.
According to the Uganda military Publicist, the Ugandan contingent is a neutral force and is not expected to engage in fight with the M23 fighter.
“The UPDF appreciates the leadership of M23 for being cooperative with the Contingent and according [to] our peacekeepers a safe passage and successful occupation of Bunagana,” Brig Gen Felix Kulayigye said via tweeter.