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{
    "id": 1277303,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1277303/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 248,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Aden Duale",
    "speaker_title": "The Cabinet Secretary for Defence",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 15,
        "legal_name": "Aden Bare Duale",
        "slug": "aden-duale"
    },
    "content": "kilometers from that City, an occurrence that could have destabilized DRC and this region. Eastern Congo primarily uses the Port of Mombasa, so there was an economic interest. There was a regional interest in terms of peace and security. At the same time, before our deployment, the maize supply routes were inaccessible due to insecurity. There was a lot of interruption in food supply and humanitarian operations in that part of DRC. There was a huge humanitarian crisis and many Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). This precipitated the consequence of deploying the EACRF in that area. These are achievements that we can today be proud of: the M23 armed groups, particularly those in the area where KDF are stationed, withdrew from their previously occupied territories, including safeguarding the areas around Goma. The M23 armed group withdrew from the areas within the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) joint operations area, which was mostly a KDF area. This relieved the pressure on the DRC Government; hence Goma was saved from the control of M23. This also created an elusive window for the settlement of the security challenges following years of conflict. The ceasefire between the M23 and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (AFDRC) was achieved because of the presence of the KDF. The force commander of the EACRF is a Kenyan. Previously, we had General Nyaga; today, we have General Kiugu. This has shaped the political track in DRC. This initiative is spearheaded by the Former President of the Republic of Kenya, Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta, as a facilitator. M23 has indicated conditional readiness for pre-cantonment, which is a critical step towards the disarmament, demobilization, and re-integration of the communities affected by the security situation in Eastern DRC. Through the EACRF, which Kenya is part of, the Bunagana-Bumangabo-Kibumba- Goma and Kitshanga-Kilolirwe-Sake-Goma main supply routes are now active; hence the enabling movement of commerce, people, and services; and more importantly facilitating access to humanitarian supplies. The deployment led to the gradual return of refugees and IDPs to areas that are now under the EACRF’s control, resulting in a reduction in crime and violence against non- combatants. Our key mandate is the protection of civilians. Last week, I spent three days in Eastern DRC, visiting our troops and my colleagues. There is a sense of stability and protection of civilians from armed conflict. EACRF has also continued to support the programme, which was part of the Head of States agreement. They agreed on setting up the disarmament areas for establishing the infrastructure of all armed groups and for community rehabilitation and stabilization programmes, which are key leader engagements within the joint operation area. This is in support of the peaceful co-existence among communities while progressively facilitating the restoration of good governance and the re-establishment of social amenities such as schools and health centres in those areas before the deployment of the KDF serving under EACRF. Hon. Speaker, EACRF, jointly with the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and the representative of the DRC Government, have identified suitable and important pre-cantonment sites at Bumangabo which have enabled the DRC Government to initiate demobilization, disarmament, community rehabilitation, and stabilization. The final achievement is the initial deployment of the Kenyan contingent as the first boots on the ground in the joint operation area. This secured and set conditions for the deployment of the other contingents in North Kivu. This means that Kenya has demonstrated much-needed leadership in this crisis. The KDF was the first armed forces to go to that theatre in the first four months. After our success, our colleagues from Burundi, South Sudan, and Uganda joined the wider multinational sector of the North Kivu area. This means that Kenya demonstrated much-needed leadership in a crisis situation. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}