Eastern DRC: enlistment extended by ten days, arrival of troops raises hope

Kenyan and Congolese soldiers at Goma airport, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on November 15 (illustration image). AFP - ALEXIS HUGUET

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

The voter registration in eastern DRC was supposed to end yesterday, Saturday, April 1. It was extended by ten days. This is the second extension of these operations in the eastern part of the DRC marked by violence and population displacement.

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With our correspondent in Kinshasa, Patient Ligodi

This extension of enlistment procedures coincides with the deployment of Burundian and Ugandan soldiers to North Kivu as part of the East African Community (EAC) regional force. Is this enough to ensure the continuation of enlistment operations in the region and even initiate the launch in areas under M23 occupation? In areas under M23 control, voter registration operations have not yet begun, equipment is not being deployed there. No date has been announced and no prospect seems to be on the horizon.

Increasingly dangerous context

The M23 has already announced that if the Congolese army went to these areas supposedly held by the regional force, it would return immediately. However, it is up to the Congolese army and the police to accompany and secure the electoral operations. The EAC force does not have that mandate. For its part, MONUSCO, whose logistical and security contribution is expected, is also plagued by many difficulties. It operates in an increasingly dangerous context.

Pressure on Rwanda

In fact, last year was one of the deadliest for peacekeepers on Congolese soil. In areas where the UN mission still has access, it still managed to deliver 126 tons of electoral materials to North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri. Despite this difficult context, the CENI still intends to organize elections within the constitutional deadline. For its part, the government is putting pressure on Rwanda to end support for the M23.

► READ ALSO: DRC: fighting between army and M23 confirm the new failure of a plan to withdraw the rebels

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  • DRC
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