Soldiers of the East African Community who were dispatched a year ago to battle M23 troops in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have since been considered ineffective by the Congolese government, and their mandate terminates on Friday.
The troops hailing from Uganda, Kenya, Burundi and South Sudan have begun flying home, after President Félix Tshisekedi denied extending their stay and top officials condemned their performance.
Soldiers from the Southern African Development Community –SADC, bloc are surmised to restore the East African force, but as yet, no date has been set for their arrival.
In a similar development, the M23 rebel group has captured the town of Mushaki, a place located 40km (25 miles) from Goma, the capital of the Nord Kivu, a mineral-rich province.
The rebels captured the town on 7 December after an altercation with the Congolese army. Mushaki is a key transport hub in the region and has switched hands between the M23 and the army several times.
Meanwhile, DR Congo is slated to hold a general election on 20 December.
