Congolese government clarifies Kenyan troops deployment amid rising tensions 

On Thursday evening, the Congolese government clarified the deployment of Kenyan soldiers in their territory under the MONUSCO peacekeeping mission, amidst growing tensions between the two countries.

The first batch of the fourth contingent of Kenya's Rapid Reaction Force has been deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since the beginning of the week for a peacekeeping mission led by the United Nations.

As the DRC faces escalating tensions in its mineral-rich eastern region, compounded by the M23 rebellion, there has been an outcry on Congolese social media over potential military agreements with Kenya, a member of the East African Community (EAC).

The EAC has recently faced criticism for its perceived ineffectiveness in addressing the security challenges in eastern DRC.

In a statement from the Congolese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government clarified that the Kenyan deployment is part of an initiative launched in 2019 to enhance the operational capabilities of the MONUSCO Intervention Brigade.

According to Kinshasa, the DRC officially requested troop contributions from its international partners in 2019, to which Kenya and Nepal responded positively.

“This initiative aimed to strengthen the operational capacities of the FIB (Force Intervention Brigade) to better address the persistent security challenges in certain regions of the country,” stated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It also emphasised that “the gradual deployment of Kenyan troops, which began in 2020, includes regular rotations of personnel at the end of each deployment period.”

Kinshasa further explained that the fourth Kenyan rapid reaction contingent represents a standard rotation, replacing troops who have completed their annual mission within MONUSCO.

Meanwhile, the third contingent has been part of the special forces deployed in Beni since 2021, alongside troops from South Africa, Malawi, and Nepal.

“The QRF4 represents a normal rotation, replacing the troops who have completed their annual mission as contingents within MONUSCO. Meanwhile, the QRF3 is part of the special forces deployed in Beni since 2021, alongside contingents from South Africa, Malawi, and Nepal,” the statement said.

The statement added, “It is important to note that the Democratic Republic of the Congo, like any country hosting UN forces on its territory, reserves the right to review the composition of the contingents that make up these forces.”

Relations between Nairobi and Kinshasa have been strained following comments made by Kenyan President William Ruto. During the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali—a city Kinshasa views as hostile—Ruto expressed concerns about the DRC attributing the M23 rebellion to Rwanda. Ruto's statements have exacerbated tensions between Nairobi and Kinshasa and have drawn strong reactions from Congolese authorities.

Efforts to mend the strained relationship between Kenya and the DRC could be in jeopardy following Ruto’s remarks in Kigali on May 17. During an interview with the Africa Report, Ruto referred to the M23 rebellion as “a Congolese problem,” sparking further tension.

“If they are Congolese, how is it? Is this becoming a problem of Rwanda? How does this become a Kagame problem?” Ruto questioned. He further stated that the M23 rebels want to be included in the DRC dialogue. “I don’t find any better outcome than a citizenship that has grievances, that have issues with their government, in a discussion so that they can sort out their grievances,” he added.

Ruto’s remarks, made behind closed doors, sparked outrage within the Congolese presidency and authorities, who have long linked the M23 rebellion with Rwanda. The Congolese President has publicly accused President Ruto of undermining the Nairobi Peace Process and supporting Rwanda