SSPDF soldiers deployed to DR Congo peacekeeping mission. Photo || Lou Nelson || Eye Radio - 28th Dec. 2022

East African heads of state on Tuesday unanimously agreed to extend the mandated of the regional military force in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo for another three months.

The East African Community bloc made the announcement on Tuesday, following a summit by the region’s heads of state in Kenya’s capital Nairobi.

The regional force was deployed to eastern DR Congo in November 2022 to aid the response of the DRC Congo military against armed rebel groups in the eastern part of the country.

Its mandate was to end on 8 September, but the extension means that the regional force will remain in eastern DR Congo until December 8th .

The leaders said that they “took note of the operational milestones achieved by the EAC regional force towards restoration of security in the eastern DRC (DR Congo)”.