DRC Congo blocks EAC observers ahead of presidential elections amid diplomatic tiff
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The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) blocked East African Community (EAC) observers from observing the presidential elections
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) blocked East African Community (EAC) observers from observing the presidential elections.
The government of President Felix Tshisekedi has rejected East African Community (EAC) observers ahead of elections scheduled for December 20.
EAC said Monday that DRC, which is a member of the block had not approved their request to observe the polls.
However, the DRC let observers from the Southern African Development Community and the African Union take part in the polls, escalating hostilities between the country and the regional grouping.
“This is to notify the EAC Partner States, Development Partners, and all other Stakeholders that EAC will not physically be present in DRC to observe her 2023 General Elections as provided for in the Treaty Establishing the East African Community and as it has been the practice since the inception of the EAC.”
“This development is because although EAC was ready, the request to undertake the exercise has not been granted by the relevant authorities,” said the regional bloc in a statement.
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“The EAC wishes the Government and the people of DRC peaceful elections and remains committed to discharge our mandate to all Partner States.”
The DRC will hold general elections on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, for president of the Republic and national and provincial assembly and municipal positions.
This comes after DRC recalled its envoys to Kenya, Tanzania, and EAC over the announcement of the Opposition Alliance in Kenya
Kinshasa has also refused to renew the mandate of the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) which was deployed to stabilize the eastern part of the country.
Tshisekedi accused EACRF of being inactive and looking on idly as M23 rebels captured territory and engaged in new battles with Congolese soldiers.
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