EAC urges DR Congo leader to respect regional force mandate

The East African Community (EAC) has urged Democratic Republic of Congo's leader to respect regional states' move to deploy forces in an attempt to stabilise eastern parts of his country.

President Félix Tshisekedi on Tuesday accused the East African force of not doing its job, warning if it did not do so by June, it would be asked to leave DR Congo. He also accused the force of colluding with M23 rebels.

EAC Secretary-General Peter Mathuki said he had not received any communication regarding Mr Tshisekedi's complaints, saying any issues raised would be discussed by EAC heads of state.

"Let us honestly respect members of [EAC] summit in their own rights because I know they are in charge of this situation," Mr Mathuki told Uganda's NTV on Thursday.

The EAC chief earlier told French public radio RFI that the criticisms of the force were not justified.

"To say that the regional force is doing nothing, in such a short time, is not fair," he said, although he acknowledged that the pace of stabilising DR Congo "may not be what we expected".

DR Congo's criticism of the East African force came a day after the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) approved the deployment of troops to the east of the country.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

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