Kelvin Jakachira
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita, is in South Africa on a working visit aimed at strengthening bilateral defence relations.
The DR Congo Defence Minister will hold talks with the South African minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, with the South African Ministry of Defence has emphasising that the partnership with Kinshasa is crucial for promoting peace, security, and stability across the region.
The visit which began on Monday will be concluded on Thursday.
Reports say the visit by Muadiamvita is designed to strengthen technical and training capabilities, with a focus on special operations, rapid reaction, naval, and aviation expertise.
Key on the agenda is a comprehensive review and reform of the DR Congo Military Strategy for 2026 to 2030 is on the agenda.
The reports say a critical aspect of the DR Congo and South Africa dialogue is the cooperation on defence intelligence and medical assistance, including the training of medical practitioners.
The meeting is coming weeks after the South Africa led SADC mission in the DR Congo was terminated with the regional leaders opting to pursue diplomatic and political solutions to the crisis in the eastern DR Congo.
The decision to terminate the mission came after South Africa had suffered significant losses after 14 of its soldiers were killed by the Congolese rebels group, the M23 armed in January. Almost 200 other soldiers were injured and were eventually repatriated through Rwanda.
Other troop contributing countries, Tanzania and Malawi also lost soldiers as they fought the M23 rebels.
Leaders from the East African Community (EAC) and SADC on Monday held a virtual summit which reinforced diplomatic and political solutions to the crisis.
The EAC-SADC joint summit appointed five former African country presidents to facilitate and oversee efforts to end violence in the eastern DR Congo.
“The defence collaboration between South Africa and the DRC is of paramount importance, not just for our two countries, but for the broader African continent. This partnership is crucial for fostering peace, security, and stability across the region,” Motshekga said.
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A dinner was hosted for Muadiamvita on Monday, where South Africa’s Deputy Defence Minister Bantu Holomisa said, “The bond between South Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo exemplifies what can be achieved when nations unite with a common purpose. Our collaboration in defence and security transcends strategic alliance—it represents a brotherhood forged through mutual respect and understanding.”
Minister Motshekga emphasized the significance of the defence partnership between South Africa and the DRC, stating:
“The defence collaboration between South Africa and the DRC is of paramount importance, not just for our two countries, but for the broader African continent. This partnership is crucial for fostering peace, security and stability across the region.”
