The Kenyan army continues its deployment in the east of the Republic of Congo. A second group of soldiers arrived in Goma on Wednesday 16 November. They join the hundred men already on site since Saturday. Their mission is to prepare for the arrival of the bulk of the troops, whose deployment date is not specified.
With our special correspondent in Goma, Florence Morice
They sing to encourage each other under a light rain. There are about sixty men in arms and fatigues on the tarmac of the airport, ready to board in the direction of Goma. After receiving the last instructions from number 1 of the Kenyan army, General Robert Kariuki Kibochi: “ You are part of the advanced contingent. The one who will prepare the conditions for the arrival of the rest of the troops. You are responsible for ensuring that your colleagues arriving later will be well taken care of. »
In Goma, where a new M23 attack is feared, expectations are high vis-à-vis these soldiers. But the Kenyan army insists, the privileged voice for the time being is the political voice. ” I must be clear that we do not come to fight the negative forcesinsists the general. Our mandate is very clear: to contribute to stabilization by creating the conditions for a political and diplomatic process, in order to guarantee that these groups accept voluntary disarmament. Only negative forces that will not disarm voluntarily will be disarmed by force. »
Kenyans promise to protect Goma
If the direct confrontation with the rebels is presented as a last resort. “ No one will take Goma. We are here to protect the city and the airport “, all the same assured Wednesday the Kenyan general Jeff Nyagah, commander of the regional force.
In Goma, we can’t wait for the Kenyans to take action. General Chico, Deputy Chief of Staff in the Congolese army, welcomes this new contingent: “ I hope that with your arrival a lot of things will change. And we will evolve in an offensive mission, in order to bring peace to our part of the republic »
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