The European Union on Thursday lashed out at DR Congo's decision to expel its ambassador, calling the move "completely unjustified", just three days before crucial elections in the vast central African country.
DR Congo Foreign Minister Leonard She Okitundu earlier told the EU it had 48 hours to withdraw its representative in retaliation for sanctions against 14 officials, including President Joseph Kabila's handpicked candidate for the long-delayed vote.
An EU spokesman told AFP the bloc "regrets this decision and considers it as completely unjustified".
"On the eve of very challenging elections in DRC, such a decision can only be considered counterproductive."