DR Congo slams regional force
A regional military force sent by east African countries to stabilize conflict-torn areas in the country’s east was criticized by DR Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi on Tuesday, and he made a suggestion that the troops might leave by the end of June.
Tshisekedi expressed worries about “cohabitation” between rebels and the regional force that started deploying late last year while on a visit to Botswana.
Eastern DRC is plagued by dozens of armed groups as a result of the ongoing regional conflicts from the 1990s and 2000s
One group, the M23, has caused mayhem since coming out of hibernation in late 2021.
In order to address the problem, the seven-nation East African Community (EAC) established a military force in June of last year. Kenyan soldiers deployed in November, and this year Burundian, Ugandan, and South Sudanese contingents followed.
At a news conference, Tshisekedi stated, “We have observed cohabitation between the East African Community contingent and the insurgents.
When it comes to the mission given, that is a real issue, and it also begs the question, “What is the purpose of the mission?” Except for the Burundian soldiers, he claimed, others “are now living together with M23.”
DR Congo slams regional force
His remarks came the day after the 16-bloc Southern African Development Community (SADC) decided to send soldiers “to restore peace and security in eastern DRC” during a special summit held in Namibia.
The EAC force’s mandate expires in June, according to Tshisekedi, and “if we feel that the mandate was not fulfilled, we will return them and thank them for trying.”
“We have the confirmation of the coming of SADC troops which we will have to put in place,” he added.
Namibian President Hage Geingob on Monday emphasised the need “for SADC to work together with the East African Community… to better coordinate our efforts” to back Kinshasa.
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