DR Congo Completes Entry into East African Community  

The Democratic Republic of Congo formally completed its entry into the East African Community, EAC after depositing instruments of ratification to the bloc’s headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Christophe Lutundula presented the documents to EAC Secretary-General Peter Mathuki, who described the development as significant for DR Congo and the community.

Member states approved DR Congo’s request to join the bloc in April and the country’s parliament ratified the decision in June.

DR Congo’s presidency tweeted about the latest development:

DR Congo becomes the seventh partner state and the second Francophone country in the EAC as well as having equal rights in addition to full obligations and privileges.

The EAC is already engaged in efforts to end violence in eastern DR Congo, with a regional force expected to be deployed there.

BBC/CO