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2023-05-11 Africa Subsaharan
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Regional force could exit DRC by June; President Tshisekedi hints
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[GOOBJOOG] 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".
| M23 stands for March 23 Movement — in our archives as M23 rebels — also known as the Congolese Revolutionary Army. The Tutsi group was founded in 2012 as a Rwandan sock puppet, which no doubt seemed a good idea at the time, but in less than a year the Congolese army defeated them, and then Rwanda publicly stepped back in response to international pressure. M23 started acting up again in late 2021, reportedly again at Rwandan instigation... |
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 gangs 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.
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Posted by Fred 2023-05-11 00:00||
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