The South Sudanese contingent has joined regional EAC forces in the fight against M23 Rebel groups in Eastern DRC. Juba has airlifted 300 soldiers from the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPF) to Congo’s only international airport as part of a peace mission to maintain peace and security.
Last year, President Kirr flagged off 750 officers, most of whom are yet to reach Congo. This marks the first time that South Sudan has contributed boots on the ground to East Africa’s two-year admitted member, as demanded by the community body, which requested each of its members to contribute troops as part of the regional peacekeeping mission.
In 2022, Rwanda and Congo traded accusations, with President Felix Tshisekedi accusing Rwanda of backing the M23 Rebels, who have been involved in a series of clashes with the army. However, Kigali has denied the allegations levied against it. Despite this, the relations between Kigali and Kinshasa have begun to thaw since President Felix took office in 2019. Congo struck back by summoning Rwanda’s ambassador and suspending flights to Kigali.
The tensions forced the African Union and UN to call for calm, while Western countries denounced Rwanda’s support for Rebel groups and called on it to use its influence to convince M23 to lay down their arms. However, the recent resurgence of M23 violence has reignited regional tensions.
