E.Africa force combating Congo violence extended to December

The mandate of an East African force set up to curb militia violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been extended to December, the regional bloc that formed it said.
The seven countries of the East African Community (EAC) set up the force in April 2022 to stop bloodshed linked to decades of militant activity in Congo’s east.
EAC said in a statement posted on its account on X, iIts term was due to expire on Friday but heads of state of member countries meeting in the Kenyan capital extended the mandate to December.
EAC said, “The heads of state agreed to extend the duration for a further three months.”
Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi was at one time openly critical of the regional force, known as the EACRF.
He accused 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.