DRC extends military rule in eastern provinces
Parliament in the Democratic Republic of Congo has voted to extend the state of emergency in Ituri and North Kivu — the two eastern provinces that have been rocked by insecurity.
The state of emergency imposed by president Félix Tshisekedi on May 6 has been extended six times now.
Out of 335 MPs, 334 voted in favour while one abstained.
Military administrations have replaced the civilian authorities to curb insecurity in the provinces where several attacks carried out by rebels have left thousands dead.
The violence has been on the increase despite the presence of thousands of United Nations peacekeepers.
Some of the attacks have been blamed on the Allied Democratic Forces — one of the dozens of armed groups operating there.
The eastern provinces have also seen violence between ethnic groups.—BBC
