Military cooperation between China and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was at the heart of the meeting between Presidents Félix Tshisekedi and Xi Jinping in Beijing on May 26. At the end of this meeting, China undertook to support the DRC in the implementation of its military programming law aimed at strengthening the operational capacity of the Armed Forces.
This cooperation could take the form of joint exercises and training of the armed forces as well as enhanced exchanges in the areas of peace and security. China has also expressed its willingness to support the DRC in the fight against cross-border crime, a scourge that continues to plague the country despite the efforts made by the authorities.
Since the adoption of its military programming law last year, the Congolese government has set itself the objective of strengthening the operational capacities of its armed forces. This multi-annual financial law provides for expenditure on equipment and development of the Armed Forces as well as payment appropriation deadlines.
However, the DRC is facing multiple security challenges, including the rise of insecurity in the province of Ituri, the recurrent attacks by armed groups in the provinces of North and South Kivu, as well as the presence of a new militia Mai-Mai in the east of the country. Sino-Congolese military cooperation could therefore contribute to strengthening security in the region.
However, some critics of Félix Tshisekedi’s policies are raising criticism of a possible militarization of the DRC, especially as the country is experiencing increasing repression of political opposition. The security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo therefore remains precarious and requires a comprehensive approach including political and economic reforms to enable the stabilization of the country.