DR Congo President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi on Friday, September 9, presided over the signing of an agreement giving green light to the deployment of the East African Community joint regional force in his country’s volatile east to fight negative forces.

A related EAC communiqué indicates that the regional force will be led by his country’s armed forces.

The Secretary General of the EAC, Peter Mathuki, and DR Congo’s Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Christophe Lutundula Apala Pen’Apala, signed the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) at the official residence of the President in the Congolese capital, Kinshasa.

Mathuki noted that the agreement is in support of the implementation of the decision of the 22nd Summit of the EAC Heads of State, to deploy a joint regional force, to fight the negative forces.

"The Agreement envisages an initial deployment of the EAC Joint Regional Force for a period of six months after which the deployment will be evaluated,” Mathuki said.

The agreement outlines the obligations and responsibilities of the regional force while on Congolese territory and the facilitation and support that will be granted by the Kinshasa in line with the Constitution and applicable laws.

"The Concept of Operations (CoNOPs) which includes among others, a SOFA as its Annex, was negotiated by the Chiefs of Defence Forces of the Region and adopted by the 22nd Summit of the Heads of State,” he noted.

Though it is not named, the communique notes that the Force Headquarters was established and key personnel appointed. Key personnel include; EAC Force Commander Maj Gen Jeff Nyagah from Kenya and one of the two deputies Brig Gen Emma Kaputa of the DR Congo.

"The region expects substantial force deployment in the upcoming days,” reads the statement.

Tshisekedi said the mission will not be easy, noting that that the instability has been ongoing for more than two decades.

"My highest wish is for the Regional Force to be successful and allow the country to turn over and focus on the economic and social growth,” Tshisekedi is quoted. He also urged for the use of diplomacy as agreed upon under the Nairobi-process.

As noted, Tshisekedi expressed confidence in the leadership of outgoing Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, who was appointed in the 22nd Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of States, as the facilitator to oversee the implementation of the Nairobi Process.

"It´s also important for there to be sensitization of the local Community on the objective of the Regional Force to quell any negative suspicion, so we can have peace in that area,” the Congolese President added.

Tshisekedi, on April 8, signed the Treaty of accession by his country to the EAC.

On April 21, Presidents Tshisekedi, Evariste Ndayishimiye (Burundi), Kenya’s Uhuru Kenyatta and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, as well as Rwanda’s foreign minister Dr Vincent Biruta, who represented President Paul Kagame, agreed to the deployment of a regional force to help contain armed groups holed up in DR Congo.

The signing of the agreement for regional troops’ deployment came as Mathuki and his delegation of heads of EAC organs and institutions and eminent regional business leaders concluded a four-day trip to the bloc’s newest partner state, from September 6 to 9.

The bloc’s maiden mission to Kinshasa aimed at enhancing awareness among Congolese government officials on existing EAC instruments, create trade synergies, explore and build business partnerships and immediate linkages for business associations.

In Kinshasa, Mathuki informed Congolese authorities that in order to facilitate the full and effective participation of their country in the activities of the Community as provided by the EAC Treaty, they need to urgently take up six key issues, including designating a Minister responsible for EAC Affairs. The latter will be the coordination and liaison between the office of the Secretary General and Kinshasa on all matters of integration.

The DR Congo is also expected to remit its financial contribution to the EAC as a partner state; constitute a team to negotiate a roadmap for its full integration into the EAC; appoint a Defence Liaison Officer (DLO) not below the rank of a full Colonel; nominate a Judge to sit on the bench of the First Instance Division of the East African Court of Justice; and elect nine members to represent it at the fifth Assembly of the East African Legislative Assembly which commences in December 2022.