The DRC Officially Becomes Full Member Of The Seven Member East African Community

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) officially became a full member of the East African Community (EAC) after Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Foreign Affairs, Christophe Lutundula Apala Pen’ Apala , deposited the instruments of ratification with the bloc’s secretariat on Monday, reported The CGTN Africa.

The delegation led by Mr. Lutundula gave the documents to the EAC Secretary General, Peter Mathuki, during a ceremony at the EAC headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

“This is a formalisation of a situation that has always been in existence. Somehow we can say the DRC joined their people,” said the DR Congo’s Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Foreign Affairs.

Being a member of the EAC, the DR Congo will now have full rights and privileges to participate in all the programs and activities of the bloc. The membership will also enable free movement of people to other countries without a visa, in addition to free movement of goods especially to its eastern region.

The DRC will also nominate nine members to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) as well as  judges to the East African Court of Justice.

“Today is a very significant day for the Community and for the DRC,” EAC Secretary-General Peter Mathuki said. “It marks the completion of the processes and procedures towards DRC becoming a full member of the East African Community.”

Mathuki also thanked President Felix Tshisekedi and his administration for a speedy ratification process.

The EAC had already prepared a draft roadmap for DR Congo’s integration into the bloc. The Congolese authorities will now go through the document with their EAC counterparts to prepare a final document that gives a proper timeline on each process and the related costs.

Last month, the East African leaders agreed to deploy a Kenya-led regional security force to stop the conflict in the eastern DRC. Weeks of fighting between DRC troops and rebels has raised tensions between the Congo and Rwanda.