Amid escalating violence and the encroachment of armed rebels on strategic territories in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kenya's Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, has commended the success of the region's peacekeeping mission.
Kenya, a significant participant in the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) mission in the DRC until December last year, has upheld the intervention as fruitful, despite lingering voices of scepticism.
Speaking at a public lecture in Nairobi on March 22, Mudavadi affirmed the EACRF's effectiveness in quelling tensions during their deployment.
In addressing the mission's inability to dismantle armed groups, Mudavadi cited restrictive mandates that prohibited troops from taking sides, characterising the EACRF as peacekeepers.
"The mandate that was given to the EACRF then was to have a one year of peacekeeping. And we finished our tour of duty as the EAC," Mudavadi stated at the United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa).
He argued that, despite limitations, the EACRF effectively fulfilled its peacekeeping role within the East African Community.
Deployed in November 2022 for an initial six months, the EACRF extended its mission until December last year. However, their exit sparked complaints from Kinshasa, alleging failure to target the M23 rebel group, a significant threat in eastern Congo.
Following this development, the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) deployed troops, altering the dynamics of intervention in the region.
Mudavadi highlighted the disparities in mandates between the EACRF and the incoming SADC force, underscoring the significance of terminology in shaping engagement strategies.
While the EACRF operated under a peacekeeping mandate, SADC's role appears to involve peacemaking, suggesting a shift towards more assertive measures.
The ambiguity surrounding peace operations terminology complicates assessments of mission effectiveness. Peacekeeping, as defined by the UN, involves implementing ceasefires or peace agreements, typically without the use of military force unless in self-defence.
On the other hand, peacemaking may entail diplomatic actions to negotiate agreements between hostile parties, often with the possibility of military enforcement.
EACRF's mandate ostensibly included joint operations with the Congolese army to combat armed groups, maintain law and order, and support disarmament and stabilisation programmes.
Despite occasional clashes and criticism for refraining from direct engagement with the M23, the EACRF managed to broker a relative ceasefire during its tenure.
However, the resurgence of conflict post-EACRF withdrawal points to the enduring challenges in the DRC. Recent reports indicate heightened tensions as M23 rebels advance towards Goma, exacerbating humanitarian crises and threatening regional stability. Analysts warn of the potential for a wider regional conflict if the situation escalates further.
The involvement of neighbouring states, particularly Rwanda, adds complexity to the DRC's security landscape. Allegations of external support for armed groups underscore underlying geopolitical interests and economic incentives tied to the region's vast mineral wealth.
In the face of escalating insecurity, Kenya reaffirms its dedication to regional cooperation and pan-African solidarity. Mudavadi delineated Kenya's foreign policy stance, advocating for mutual respect, collective security, and inclusive diplomacy in addressing complex challenges such as the conflict in the DRC.
As the DRC teeters on the brink of escalating violence, the effectiveness of previous interventions remains a topic of contention.
