Kenya sent on Saturday the first batch of its military forces to eastern Congo to support government forces in the face of the "March 23" rebels in the east of the country.
And the American Associated Press reported that the Kenyan forces arrived today, Saturday, in eastern Congo, as part of a first batch of 903 soldiers that will be sent successively to join other forces from East African countries.
The agency indicated that the commander of the Kenya Defense Forces, General Robert Kibuchi, bid farewell to the soldiers at Nairobi International Airport, and urged them to follow orders during the performance of their mission.
"It is well known that we follow the law wherever we go. Respect the defense chiefs wherever you go," Kibuchi said.
The Kenyan forces are stationed in Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo and the capital of North Kivu province, which witnessed clashes on Friday between government forces and the "March 23" rebels.
The East African Community regional force, which was approved by heads of state last June, includes two battalions from Uganda, two battalions from Burundi, and one from South Sudan under Kenyan command.
The Congolese government accuses its neighbor Rwanda of supporting the "March 23" movement, which the Rwandan government has repeatedly denied.
It is noteworthy that the "March 23" movement, known by its acronym "M23", is a Congolese militia composed of individuals belonging to the Tutsi ethnicity, which resumed fighting at the end of last year, accusing Kinshasa of not respecting the agreements on the reintegration of its fighters.