Regional force could exit DRC by June; President Tshisekedi hints

GOOBJOOG NEWS | GABORONE: DR Congo president Felix Tshisekedi has criticized the East African Regional Force deployed in the Eastern Part of DRC to stabilize conflict in the area of “Cohabiting” with the rebels.

Speaking in Gaborone Botswana where he is scheduled to meet leaders from the South Africa Development Community (SADC) to discuss the plans to deploy the troops in DRC, hinting that the East African Force could exit by June.

“There is cohabitation that we have noticed between the contingent of East African Community and the rebels,” Tshisekedi said at a news conference.

“That is a genuine problem when it comes to the mission assigned, and also compels to ask, what is the purpose of the mission?” he said, claiming that except for the Burundi troops, others “are now living together with M23”.

His comments come a day after a special summit of the 16-bloc Southern African Development Community (SADC), held in Namibia, resolved to deploy forces “to restore peace and security in eastern DRC”.

Tshisekedi said the EAC force’s mandate ends in June, “and if we feel that the mandate was not fulfilled will return them and thank them for having tried”.

“We have the confirmation of the coming of SADC troops which we will have to put in place,” he added.

Several armed groups have launched attacks in the Eastern Part of DRC from the 90’s with the M23 having reemerged in late 2021 – wreaking havoc in the area.

The East African Community created a military force, the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) which was sent to the DRC to restore stability in the troubled nation last June.

Kenyan soldiers deploying in November followed this year by Burundian, Ugandan and South Sudanese contingents.

DRC President Felix Tshisekedi’s office said on Monday evening the SADC will assess working areas and the actual decisions will be reached after a meeting of SADC, EAC, representatives of the Great Lakes Region as well as members of the association of central African states.

“SADC has launched processes for the convening of a Tripartite Summit of the East African Community (EAC), the International Conference for the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and SADC plus the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), with the participation of the African Union and the United Nations in order to consider a coordinated approach in support of the DRC,” the Congolese presidency said.

Namibian President Hage Geingob on Monday emphasised the need “for SADC to work together with the East African Community to quell attacks by rebels in the Eastern part of the country.

 

 

SADC countries include South Africa, Angola, Tanzania, Namibia, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and the DRC.