GOMA, DR Congo
A regional force set up to tackle militia violence in east Democratic Republic of Congo has been extended to September, a minister and a spokesperson for the force said on Wednesday.
The seven countries of the
East African Community (EAC) set up the EACRF military force in April last year
to try to end bloodshed linked to decades of militant activity in Congo's east.
The force's future had been
uncertain since its mandate expired in March, and EAC leaders had expressed
differing views on how it should operate.
Doubts over its effectiveness
grew in April after the force's head, Major General Jeff Nyagah, said he had
resigned due to obstruction and threats to his safety.
An EAC spokesperson confirmed
reports that the force's mandate had been extended to September during a summit
in Burundi on Wednesday.
Congo's Defense Minister
Jean-Pierre Bemba also confirmed the reports.
President Felix Tshisekedi has
been openly critical of the EACRF. He accuses it of not being aggressive enough
and failing to rein in the M23 rebel group, which launched an offensive in the
east of the country last year.
Tshisekedi had initially
agreed to extend the EACRF's mandate until June.
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