In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), while the Community of East African States (EAC) has extended until December 8 the deployment of its force, much criticized in the DRC, another contingent is still expected in the east of this country, to fight the rebel movements there: that of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Explanations.
2 mins
With our correspondent in Kinshasa, Patient Ligodi
The East African Community (EAC) has extended the mandate of its force deployed in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by three months, which now runs until 8 December , i.e. a dozen days before the holding of the general elections of December 20, 2023 in ground floor.
This extension comes as the region awaits the announced deployment of other troops, those of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
No SADC force deployment schedule is yet available
Given the harsh criticism from Kinshasa throughout the year, many analysts believed that the EAC’s mission would not last long in the eastern part of the DRC.
Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi did not fail to openly criticize the force, its contingents and even its commanders, accusing them of cohabiting with the M23 rebel movement instead of fighting it.
Kinshasa seemed to have now turned towards the SADC countries. This other sub-regional organization had decided to send its troops to eastern DRC. The Congolese authorities even hoped to see SADC soldiers deployed as early as September.
However, the days pass and the SADC force is still not present and no timetable for deployment is yet available.
In Kinshasa, the entourage of the Head of State tempers and maintains that the SADC project is still relevant.
The Congolese authorities were also awaiting the deployment of an Angolan contingent. Here again, the project is slow to materialize while the regional force of the EAC sees its mandate extended.