The DRC harshly criticizes the regional force of the Community of East African States (EAC) deployed to ensure security in the east of the country. The Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Francophonie, Christophe Lutundala Apala, expressed his disappointment during a press conference organized this weekend. A regional force from Burundi, Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan had been deployed in the region to neutralize armed groups such as the M23.
The mandate of the current regional force extends until June and the DRC expects it to apply the offensive mandate defined by the various agreements signed between Angola and Kenya. Kinshasa hopes that the EAC will react to the interpellation of the DRC so that it produces results on the ground. The M23 still coexisting with the regional force in certain regions, the DRC also denounces the interpretation of the mandate given by the troop contributing countries.
The DRC also criticizes the statements made by officials of troop-contributing countries on their interpretation of the mandate. The DRC expects to see a different tone from the regional force, especially action on the ground. If this does not happen, the EAC will be considered a failure, and it will not restore peace and stability in this region.
However, the DRC finances almost 60% of the presence of the regional force on its soil, as declared by the spokesman of the African Union Jeff Nyagah