Félix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, met with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss cooperation between the two countries. In particular, they addressed the issue of security by providing for increased exchanges between the two armies and the fight against cross-border crime. The press release also indicated that China would support the DRC in the implementation of its military programming law and the capacity building of its armed forces.
The military programming law will thus make it possible to strengthen the operational capacity of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo. This multiannual financial law will make it possible to set deadlines for payment appropriations relating to expenditure on equipment and development of the Armed Forces. It will also make it possible to determine the sequences and the rhythm of the operations or purchases to be carried out to achieve the precise objectives of the armed forces. Since its approval last year, this law has been part of an objective to provide the country with an asset to deal with insecurity and multifaceted emerging threats.
The DRC and China are therefore linked in a cooperation aimed at mutually reinforcing their security capacities. This meeting is a strong sign of the importance given to Sino-Congolese cooperation in a context where the DRC is facing growing security challenges.