Following the departure of the East African Community regional force (EAC-RF) from the troubled eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, M23 rebels have vowed to reclaim territories being vacated by the withdrawing troops.
A contingent of approximately 300 Kenyan soldiers was the initial group to withdraw from their positions in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, at the start of Sunday.
Initially deployed at the request of the DR Congo government about a year ago to contain the resurgent M23 rebel group, the East African force has faced criticism from the government, which deemed it ineffective and chose not to extend its mandate.
Kenyan troops had occupied strategic positions including Kibumba and Kibati, situated north of Goma.
In response to these developments, the M23 issued a statement asserting their intention to regain control and occupy the territories previously handed over to the regional forces at the initiation of the peace process.
Despite a ceasefire agreement reached last month, reports indicate a resurgence of conflict and renewed hostilities.
Ahead of December’s elections, President Félix Tshisekedi, running for reelection, expressed concerns that areas under rebel control might not partake in the voting process due to security concerns.
The timeline for the withdrawal of troops from other contributing countries remains uncertain.
In the past, M23 rebels relinquished control of captured areas in the Rutshuru, Masisi, and Nyiragongo regions of North Kivu to forces from Burundi, Kenya, South Sudan, and Uganda as part of a peace agreement formulated during talks in Kenya and Angola towards the end of the previous year.
