The East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) has finally welcomed the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) into its fold! Didier Mazenga, the DRC’s Minister for Francophone Affairs and Regional Integration, took the oath of office on Friday in Arusha, Tanzania. This swearing-in comes two years after the DRC officially joined the East African Community (EAC) in May 2022.
The ceremony followed a heated debate on Thursday regarding member state contributions, with the DRC being a major point of discussion. However, there were positive developments. EALA Speaker Joseph Ntakirutimana revealed, “This morning, I met with Minister Mazenga, and he brought encouraging news about addressing the arrears.”
The DRC’s participation in regional meetings has been limited since joining the EAC, and their financial contributions are yet to be received. The country currently owes the EAC over $14 million in arrears.
This new development signifies the DRC’s commitment to becoming a more active member of the East African Community. With Minister Mazenga’s appointment and the promise to address outstanding contributions, the future of DRC’s involvement in the EAC looks brighter.
