Eyeing election, Congo president eases some terms of eastern military rule

FILE PHOTO: Democratic Republic of Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi attends talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China May 26, 2023. REUTERS/Thomas Peter/Pool/File Photo

KINSHASA (Reuters) - With little over two months until a general election, Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi on Thursday said some conditions of military rule in conflict-hit eastern provinces would be eased, partly to encourage participation in the vote.

He stopped short of cancelling the state of siege in North Kivu and Ituri provinces despite pressure to do so from civil society groups and the opposition who say it has done little to contain the many militias destabilising the east since it was imposed in April 2021.