APA- Kigali (Rwanda) – The East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) has called for an immediate ceasefire in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following hostile clashes that fatally wounded a Kenyan Peacekeeper stationed at Kanyamahoro, near Kibumba, 15 kilometers northeast of Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province.
In a statement seen by APA Friday, the regional force says that investigations to establish circumstances under which this incident occurred have commenced.
The East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) calls for the return to the ceasefire agreement and cessation of hostilities between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and the M23 Armed Group.
EACRF remains committed to the Protection of Civilians in line with its mandate, reads part of the statement.
Earlier this month, the resumption of hostilities between the M23 rebels and a DR Congo government coalition that comprises militias such as the Rwandan genocidal group, FDLR, as well as Congolese Mai-Mai Nyatura, European mercenaries, and Wazalendo youth groups, and others, raised concern among regional leaders and peace facilitators.
Following the resumption of hostilities, M23 rebels vowed to continue to defend themselves “and would not hesitate to protect the civilian population subjected to ethnic cleansing or hatred-motivated massacres.”
The East African Community has indicated that it is “proud of the work” so far accomplished by its troops in eastern DR Congo but the newest escalation in the conflict creates more challenges, or worsens the already tense security situation.
The regional force has emphasised that it remains committed to the protection of civilians in line with its mandate while upholding professionalism.
It has stressed that it has the right to force protection guided by the rules of engagement should EACRF troops be threatened in the course of discharging their duties within the joint operation area in North Kivu Province.
CU/as/APA