Kenya to send troops to DRC in regional operation

President William Ruto announced on Wednesday that troops would be sent to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in a joint regional operation against a rebel offensive.

Armed groups in eastern DRC have stepped up attacks, reviving old animosities and unleashing a surge in tension with neighbouring Rwanda.

In April, the leaders of the East African Community EAC agreed to establish a joint force to restore security in the region.

The destiny of DRC is intertwined with ours, he said at a ceremony in Nairobi.

We will not allow armed groups, criminals and terrorists to deny us our shared prosperity. Kenya will command the force, which will include soldiers from Burundi, Uganda and South Sudan.

After Kinshasa objected to Kigali's participation in any operations within the DRC, a Rwandan contingent will be deployed along the border.

Military officials in Nairobi did not reveal the number of Kenyan soldiers involved, citing obvious security reasons. A UN force, known as MONUSCO's French acronym, is already operating in the DRC. Uganda and Burundi sent troops to the DRC earlier in the day, at the invitation of the Congolese government.

The M 23 rebels, a mostly Congolese group, resumed fighting in late 2021 after lying dormant for years, accusing the DRC government of failing to honour an agreement to integrate its fighters into the army.

The UN peacekeeping mission in North Kivu province was prompted by advances by the militia last month to increase its alert level and boost support for the Congolese army.

Relations in Central Africa have been repercussions of the M 23 resurgence.

The DRC accuses Rwanda of backing the militia, claims denied by Kigali.

On Saturday, Kinshasa decided to expel Rwanda's ambassador. In turn, Rwanda accused Kinshasa of being on the path of continued military escalation. The African Union has appealed for a ceasefire, as the increase in violence has alarmed the international community.