By Editorial,
The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces contingent has finally received withdrawal orders to pull out forces that had been operating in the Eastern part of DRC as a peacekeeping force under the East African Community Regional Force.
Captain Kato Ahmad Hassan, the contingent spokesperson said in a statement today that they will conduct withdraw operation of its forces and equipment in a phased manner, gradual, orderly and sequentially commencing from 8th December 2023-7th January 2024 so as to curtail any disruption that can lead to security space.
The withdrawal of the UPDF troops follows the expiry of the East African Community Regional Force tenure mandate beyond today December, 8 2023, after the DRC government vowed not to renew the mandate, accusing regional troops of not fighting M23 rebels.
However speaking to the media this week, defense spokesperson Brigadier Felix Kuyaligye said their mandate was never to fight the M23 rebels in the first place and that they don’t think the group is the problem.
Other EAC countries including Kenya and South Sudan have also withdrawn their troops from DRC. END