Regional force tackling east Congo violence extended to September

FILE PHOTO: Members of the Ugandan army, part of the troops to the East Africa Community Regional Force (EACRF), stand in a formation as they patrol a settlement ceded by M23 rebels fighters to EACRF soldiers in Bunagana, Rutshuru territory of the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo April 19, 2023. REUTERS/Arlette Bashizi/File Photo

A regional force set up to tackle militia violence in east Democratic Republic of Congo has been extended to September, a minister and a spokesperson for the force said on Wednesday.

The seven countries of the East African Community (EAC) set up the EACRF military force in April last year to try to end bloodshed linked to decades of militant activity in Congo's east.