DRC leader accuses EAC force of siding with enemy M23 rebels

The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has accused East African Community (EAC) regional force deployed to fight rebels in his country of working with the enemy rebels, while scores of soldiers and militiamen were reported killed Thursday (11 May) in a latest attack on the outskirts of the capital city Kinshasa.
DRC President Felix Tshisekedi made these remarks Tuesday (9 May) during a visit to Botswana, saying there were issues within the EAC regional force deployed to fight the M23 rebels in the eastern part of his country. Accusing the East African forces of “co-habitation” with the M23 rebels, Tshisekedi then welcomed the planned deployment of southern African forces as a replacement. He pointed out what he described as “problems with the regional force,” notably the fact that “the role that was assigned to this regional force … is not fulfilled.”
In particular, the DRC leader said, “today, in certain regions, there is a co-habitation that we have noticed between the contingents of the regional force of eastern Africa and the terrorists of M23, which was not the plan.” While Tshisekedi did not specify how the regional forces are siding with the rebels, he said his government has had to reevaluate its operations in the east. This comes as a Congolese army soldier and four militiamen were reported killed in a latest attack by the so-called “Mobondo” militia in the locality of Nguma, located 75 kilometers from Kinshasa. The “Mobondo” militia, presented as members of the Yaka community, are accused of taking an active part in the community violence that is shaking the territory of Kwamouth in the western province of Maï-Ndombe.