East African standby force seeks to correct past mistakes in DR Congo
East African Community (EAC) Secretary General, Dr Peter Mutuku Mathuki (left), Kenya's Minister for EAC and Regional Development Adan Mohammed with DRC Foreign Affairs Minister Christophe Lutundula Apala Pen' Apala during the launch of negotiations on the admission of the Democratic Republic of Congo into the regional bloc in Nairobi on January 17, 2022. PHOTO | DIANA NGILA | NMG
The imminent deployment of the East African regional force to the eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo will be preceded by a massive civilian awareness campaign. Officials say they first want to correct errors committed by other international missions by educating civilians on the tasks of the force, which will include engagements with locals to abandon war.
It is a new tactic endorsed last week by Kinshasa to help begin a peacebuilding programme on a clean slate.
