Link to article: https://apnews.com/article/africa-business-kenya-east-william-ruto-f0d3a17b137bdf2a8c759ad762b8d9e8
Kenya has green-lit the deployment of almost 1,000 troops for a regional force in east Congo. Questions have been asked regarding the $37 million cost for the first half-year of the mission. Kenya’s parliament has stated that the money will be used on equipment, allowances and operations for the kenyan troops joining the East African Community Regional Force that will be tasked with supporting the Congolese forces against the armed groups. Opposition lawmakers question the merit of spending so much on a regional mission while Kenya talks its own security and economic issues such as rising inflation and public debt. William Ruto, Kenyans president called the mission “necessary and urgent”. the armed groups in Congo have created a diplomatic crisis between Congo and Rwanda, which congo claims supports the armed groups. The regional force will be led by a Kenyan commander but will include two battalions from Uganda, two from Burundi and one from South Sudan. International financing may also be secured for the mission.
This is extremely good news for Congo, they have been struggling to combat this threat and have recently had to recruit volunteers from its civilian populace, recruits with no training or experience. Kenya, and all other nations involved in the regional force have decided that intervention will benefit them most. The armed groups currently battling Congo must hope to continue their fast advances in DRC territory before these relief forces arrive. They will likely be more interested in negotiations with DRC if they believe they cannot defeat these new forces in the hopes to retain some of the gained territory rather then be pushed back. alternatively, if the armed groups believe they can win, they may continue their advance and this conflict may grow exponentially with the addition of more forces and countries. This may also bring Rwanda into the conflict officially which will no doubt have international repercussions and will create a deep divide between african countries
This relates to our discussion in class on realist theory and its subgroups. Kenya, Uganda and every other nation that supports DRC has decided that the DRC has what it takes to defeat the groups, whether on their own or with help. they have made this choice over supporting the armed groups or not getting involved. because africa is made up of weaker countries it is multi-polar. all nations who get involved in a conflict must be very sure that their side will win. because the dangers of losing a conflict are very real and the consequences very dire.