Despite ghosts in Somalia, Kenya set to deploy KDF to DR Congo
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Staff reporter GAROWE ONLINE
- Posted On 08-11-2022, 10:06AM
NAIROBI, Kenya - Even with prevailing challenges facing Kenya following the dispatching of troops to neighboring Somalia, the East African nation is set to deploy close to 1000 soldiers to DR Congo, which has also been tackling internal challenges triggered by rebel groups.
For the last ten years, Kenyan forces have been in Somalia, and their presence has not been a smooth one despite their tremendous gains in dislodging Al-Shabaab militants. The KDF managed to liberate strategic towns including Kismayo, which was once under Al-Shabaab.
But in return, the troops have suffered casualties, especially in El-Adde and Kulbiyow within the Gedo region, in addition to increased attacks along the Kenya-Somalia border. These, coupled with other challenges, have activated calls to have the KDF soldiers withdrawn from the Horn of Africa nation.
However, even before this question is settled, Kenya now wants to send additional soldiers to DR Congo, with the new Cabinet Secretary for Defense Aden Duale requesting 904 soldiers. The requisition ought to be approved by parliament.
In the company of Vice Chief of Defense Forces Lt. General Francis Ogolla, Duale told the Committee on National Defense, Intelligence and Foreign Affairs that the six-month deployment will cost taxpayers $72 million, something which could cause an uproar from members of the public.
“Upon approval, KDF will deploy 904 troops with assorted equipment to Eastern DRC both by air and road movement,” Duale said.
“Kenya remains optimistic that the deployment will be productive in providing a regional solution to regional problems, and meet expectations of locals in Eastern DRC, whose peace and tranquillity remains affected by the violence and gross violations perpetrated by the armed groups.”
He said the KDF soldiers will help the local DRC forces in maintaining law and order, clearing the humanitarian corridors, and combating the over 100 armed groups concentrated in the Eastern side of the country.
One of the prominent rebel groups is the March 23 Movement [M23], made up primarily of ethnic Tutsi allegedly supported by the Rwandan government. Rwanda has been at loggerheads with DR Congo over the rebels, who are said to be making advances in the region.
MPs Abdullah Bashir [Mandera North], Irene Kasalu [Kitui MP], Martha Wangari [Gilgil], and Caleb Amisi [Saboti] insisted that the DRC Congo peace mission is an unnecessary burden on taxpayers. Bashir claimed Kenya is risking going the same route it made when it went into Somalia to fight Al-Shabaab.
“Remember when we were going to Somalia we were told that we are going and coming back but we are still stuck in Somalia,” Bashir said.
“We are retreating tomorrow to write a report and submit it before the House on Wednesday,” chair Nelson Koech said. "Mr. Chair DRC is very important economically to Kenya, in the last few years there have been huge benefits for Kenya through the Port of Mombasa," Duale said.
"It is in the interest of the region, a very unstable region will give us problems in terms of refugees and our regional interests. Kenya further aims at stabilization of the region and forge the right conditions to spur trade and growth."
Besides Somalia, Kenya has previously participated in peacekeeping missions across Africa, notably in Angola, Namibia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. The country has also been involved in Darfur, Sudan but most of the expenses are catered for by the international community.
For instance, in Somalia, Kenya factors in expenses in the national budget but it is later refunded by the United Nations and other partners such as European Union. Politicians in the country have been pushing for the disengagement of KDF troops outside the country due to expenses incurred by the country.
GAROWE ONLINE
