This month caused a spark of optimism in the troubled country.
Firstly, DRC joined the East African Community (EAC) as its seventh member, massively expanding the territory of the trade bloc. The citizens of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda will be able to travel to DRC without a visa. EAC also greatly reduces or removes taxes and fees, allowing the countries to reinforce their international trade. Lastly, DRC joining EAC means access to the Atlantic Ocean for the organization.
Apart from economic achievements, the government takes further steps to extinguish the military crisis. Mid-April, M23 rebels withdrew from some territories occupied, hoping to strike a deal with the Congolese officials. The clashes with the governmental troops left rebel forces with a weaker hand at the negotiating table.
Also, all members of the governmental mediation group captured by CODECO rebels were set free at the beginning of the month. The eight-member team had traveled to Ituri province in mid-February with the government’s blessing, seeking to persuade an armed group called CODECO to end a bloody campaign of ethnic violence.
The government manages multiple rebel militias of ethnic and religious backgrounds, often keen on illegally extracting gold. Often praised for its democratic multi-party system, DRC officials work on ensuring security for the resource-rich country.
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