Uganda has sent troops to DR Congo on a peacekeeping mission under the East African Regional Force (EARF) against the M-23 rebels.
Over 1000 soldiers have been deployed South of the city of Beni, in the North Kivu Province in eastern DR Congo.
The deployment follows a decision by regional heads of state to help oversee the withdrawal of the M-23 rebels from territories, they had captured.
“This East African community regional force. Its work is not to go and start attacking the belligerence there, but it’s going to witness and ensure the implementation of the decisions that we are taking in the heads of state meeting”, the Army commander said.
Regional heads of state meeting in Angola resolved to have the M 23 surrender and lay down arms.
The United Nations has issued an appeal to rebels to honor the ceasefire and open talks with the government.
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The M-23 rebels have captured swaths of territory in the east of DRC. Despite calls for a ceasefire clashes between government forces and the rebels have left several civilians dead and thousands displaced.
Earlier this month, a group announced it would sit at the table with the government to find a peaceful solution to the conflict.
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This is the second major deployment for the Ugandan army in Eastern DRC. In 2021, the country sent troops to battle the ADF rebels, which have links to the terror group Islamic State.
Over 130 am groups are based in Eastern DR Congo and have destabilized the mineral-rich country for decades.
