According to a statement by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and La Francophonie, Christophe Lutundula, the mission of regional troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is currently very offensive. This declaration follows the mini-summit of the Heads of State of the DRC, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Burundi of April 21, 2022, where it was decided that the mandate of the Regional Force is to be offensive.
However, Christophe Lutundula also underlined that the regional force did not show sufficient involvement in the fight against armed groups, which goes against the relevant legal provisions. The minister said that the EAC troops cohabited with members of the armed group M23, while this was contrary to the convention signed between the two parties.
To remedy this situation, the DRC government approved the deployment of a SADC force to support the DRC in its efforts to restore peace in the east of the country. The SADC Summit, which took place on May 8 in Windhoek, also endorsed this decision.
The Deputy Prime Minister said that Angolan troops could enter the DRC via Maniema province, and stressed that the DRC government was working hard to enable effective coordination of sub-regional forces and bilateral partners operating in the region. country.
Ultimately, the DRC government is determined to put an end to the activities of armed groups in the country, and hopes that the deployment of the SADC force will support the efforts of the FARDC in this direction.