The Congolese government on Thursday sought to clarify the recent deployment of Kenyan soldiers under the MONUSCO peacekeeping mission, amid escalating tensions between Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The first batch of the fourth contingent of Kenya’s Rapid Reaction Force was deployed in the DRC earlier this week as part of a United Nations-led peacekeeping mission.

The deployment comes as the DRC grapples with mounting tensions in its mineral-rich eastern region, exacerbated by the ongoing M23 rebellion.

Congolese social media has been awash with concerns over potential military agreements with Kenya, a member of the East African Community (EAC), which has recently faced criticism for its perceived ineffectiveness in addressing the region’s security challenges.

In a statement issued by the Congolese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government clarified that the deployment of Kenyan troops is part of a broader initiative launched in 2019 to enhance the operational capabilities of the MONUSCO Intervention Brigade.

According to Kinshasa, the DRC officially requested troop contributions from its international partners in 2019, with Kenya and Nepal responding positively.

“This initiative aimed to strengthen the operational capacities of the Force Intervention Brigade (FIB) to better address the persistent security challenges in certain regions of the country,” the statement read.

It further emphasized that “the gradual deployment of Kenyan troops, which began in 2020, involves regular rotations of personnel at the end of each deployment period.”

Kinshasa explained that the current deployment of the fourth Kenyan Rapid Reaction Force contingent is part of a standard rotation, replacing troops who have completed their annual mission within MONUSCO.

The third contingent, deployed since 2021, is part of the special forces stationed in Beni alongside troops from South Africa, Malawi, and Nepal.

“The QRF4 represents a normal rotation, replacing the troops who have completed their annual mission as contingents within MONUSCO. Meanwhile, the QRF3 is part of the special forces deployed in Beni since 2021, alongside contingents from South Africa, Malawi, and Nepal,” the statement continued.

The statement also highlighted, “It is important to note that the Democratic Republic of the Congo, like any country hosting UN forces on its territory, reserves the right to review the composition of the contingents that make up these forces.”

The clarification comes at a time of strained relations between Nairobi and Kinshasa, which have worsened following recent comments by Kenyan President William Ruto.

During the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali—a city regarded with caution by Kinshasa—Ruto expressed concerns over the DRC’s attribution of the M23 rebellion to Rwanda, a sensitive issue for the Congolese government.

Ruto’s remarks have been perceived as a challenge to the DRC’s narrative, further straining efforts to mend the relationship between the two nations.

In an interview with the Africa Report on May 17, Ruto referred to the M23 rebellion as “a Congolese problem,” which sparked immediate diplomatic ripples.

“If they are Congolese, how is it? Is this becoming a problem of Rwanda? How does this become a Kagame problem?” Ruto questioned.

He also suggested that the M23 rebels seek inclusion in the DRC dialogue process, stating, “I don’t find any better outcome than a citizenship that has grievances, that have issues with their government, in a discussion so that they can sort out their grievances.”

Ruto’s behind-closed-doors comments were not well received in Kinshasa.

Congolese authorities, who have long linked the M23 rebellion with Rwanda, expressed outrage, accusing President Ruto of undermining the Nairobi Peace Process and aligning with Rwanda.