Kenya has taken command of a new East African Community (EAC) regional mission aimed at restoring stability in the volatile eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where renewed fighting has deepened long-standing regional tensions. The deployment follows months of diplomatic efforts led by Kenyan leaders—first by former President Uhuru Kenyatta and later by President William Ruto—after DRC’s admission into the EAC in 2022. Kenyan troops formally joined the mission in November 2022, marking a significant escalation of regional involvement as armed groups such as the M23 rebel movement intensified operations in North Kivu and surrounding areas. The mission brings together troops from Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, and South Sudan under a unified command structure.
The latest confrontation—sparked by the surprise resurgence of M23 and accusations of cross-border interference—exposed the fragile security situation and revived long-standing distrust between Rwanda and the DRC. Kinshasa has repeatedly accused Kigali of backing M23, allegations Rwanda denies while counter-accusing DRC forces of supporting the FDLR, an armed group linked to perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide. As tensions escalated, including deadly border incidents and diplomatic expulsions, East African leaders convened emergency summits in Nairobi and Luanda. Kenya emerged as a central mediator, hosting peace talks with dozens of Congolese rebel groups and dispatching Kenyatta as a regional peace envoy tasked with guiding the Nairobi Process, a political-track initiative running parallel to the military deployment.
Despite the mission’s slow start on the ground, diplomatic engagement has offered a glimmer of hope. A November 2022 meeting in Luanda secured an immediate ceasefire proposal, later welcomed by M23, and signaled the possibility of renewed dialogue. Yet analysts warn that the region’s complex web of actors—including MONUSCO forces, Angola’s pivotal mediation role, and a broad range of rebel groups—complicates Kenya’s ability to steer the peace process single-handedly. With expectations high and funding challenges looming, Kenya faces mounting pressure to consolidate its leadership and strengthen regional cooperation. Whether Nairobi can sustain momentum and help steer the DRC toward lasting peace remains a defining question for East Africa’s security architecture.