The military in the Democratic Republic of Congo will take charge in two regions hit by violence that have been declared "under siege".
The local administration including governors and provincial assemblies in North Kivu and Ituri provinces will be suspended for 30 days from Thursday and substituted with military authorities.
Government spokesman Kasongo Mwema Yamba said on Monday that military will have such powers as conducting searches on people as well as restricting movement.
President Felix Tshisekedi, in a televised address on Monday, said the move followed "the cries of distress of our population, and felt the pain that our mothers, sisters and daughters are suffering in these provinces ravaged by barbarity".
The government declared a state of siege in 1 May, which was to allow authorities to take measures to address the surging insecurity in the region.
Since the beginning of the year hundreds of people have been killed in eastern DR Congo - where dozens of militia groups operate.
Latest Stories
-
ORAL: We won’t witch-hunt, we’ll focus on transparency, not revenge – Ablakwa
13 seconds -
Bawumia joins thousands in Kumasi for burial prayers for Ashanti Regional Imam
3 hours -
Blue Gold Bogoso Prestea Limited challenges government actions in court
3 hours -
Verdicts due for 51 men in Pelicot mass rape trial that shook France
3 hours -
Syria not a threat to world, rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa tells BBC
4 hours -
Patrick Atangana Fouda: ‘A hero of the fight against HIV leaves us’
4 hours -
Trinity Oil MD Gabriel Kumi elected Board Chairman of Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies
4 hours -
ORAL campaign key to NDC’s election victory – North America Dema Naa
5 hours -
US Supreme Court to hear TikTok challenge to potential ban
5 hours -
Amazon faces US strike threat ahead of Christmas
5 hours -
Jaguar Land Rover electric car whistleblower sacked
6 hours -
US makes third interest rate cut despite inflation risk
6 hours -
Fish processors call for intervention against illegal trawling activities
6 hours -
Ghana will take time to recover – Akorfa Edjeani
6 hours -
Boakye Agyarko urges reforms to revitalise NPP after election defeat
7 hours