The commander of the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF), which was constituted to pacify North Kivu in eastern Congo, has resigned.

In his resignation statement, Maj. Gen. Jeff Nyagah has also denounced what he describes as “consistent harassment” and threats to his safety.

Negative media campaigns is the other reason that Nyagah has cited.

In his April 29 resignation letter to the East African Community secretary general, Dr. Peter Mathuki, the EACRF commander said: “Honourable Secretary General, as you are aware, there was an attempt to intimidate my security at my former residence by deploying foreign military contractors (mercenaries) who place monitoring devices, flew drones and conducted physical surveillance of my residence in early January 2023, forcing me to relocate.”

“There has also been a well-orchestrated and financed negative media campaign targeted at my personality. Further, the ongoing frustration has rendered my mission untenable hence the precautionary decision to exit the mission area,” he added.

In November last year, Nyagah was appointed as the EACRF commander following Kenya’s deployment of troops in Goma to protect key installations such as Goma International Airport, from a possible take-over by M23 rebels.

On November 16, 2022, EAC force commander Maj. Gen. Jeff Nyagah talks to the press upon arrival at the EAC HQ during a press conference in Goma, in eastern DR Congo. (AFP)

In March, this year, Uganda also deployed troops in North Kivu, with President Yoweri Museveni, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of armed forces, noting that the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) have been deployed not to battle M23 rebels, but to ensure that a cessation of hostilities is observed.

Ugandan boots on ground, Museveni added, were also tasked to ensure that regional resolutions on ceasefire and relocation of M23 rebels to areas demarcated by regional leaders, are followed.

Burundi and South Sudan also deployed troops in eastern Congo under the regional force arrangement.

Angola, which is not part of the EAC regional bloc of Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and DRC, also last month deployed troops in North Kivu, eastern Congo.

The mandate of EACRF is to protect Congolese civilians and their property in areas where M23 rebels will be withdrawing from as directed by East African Community (EAC) leaders during the February mini-summit in Ethiopia on the sideline of the African Union (AU) summit.

It is not clear who will replace Nyagah, but the Kenyan general said in his resignation that in-fighting could complicate the mission of the regional force, which many thought, will be able to pacify North Kivu before this year ends.