Military cooperation between the DRC and South Africa: towards strengthening ties for peace in the DRC
In an interview between the Minister of National Defense of the DRC, Jean-Pierre Bemba, and the special envoy of the South African president for the Great Lakes Region, Jeffe Radebe, military cooperation between the two countries was highlighted. forward as a priority to restore peace in eastern DRC.
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s envoy has reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to effectively contribute to the return of peace to the Great Lakes region. He stressed that military cooperation is an essential means to achieve this objective.
As a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), South Africa is aware of the urgency of restoring peace in eastern DRC. Jeffe Radebe expressed his wish to see this region regain lasting peace, which would allow the DRC to develop its population and its entire country.
Military cooperation between the DRC and South Africa was strengthened in July 2023 during the 12th session of their major joint commission. The resolutions and recommendations of this meeting focused on different aspects of military cooperation, notably communication and the fight against cybercrime within the armed forces.
This cooperation between the two countries demonstrates their common desire to put an end to more than three decades of insecurity in eastern DRC. It is part of broader regional efforts to promote stability and peace in the Great Lakes Region.
Military collaboration between the DRC and South Africa will be a major asset in the search for lasting solutions to the security challenges facing the DRC. It will also make it possible to strengthen exchanges of expertise and share best practices in defense and security.
In conclusion, military cooperation between the DRC and South Africa is of paramount importance in achieving peace in eastern DRC. The joint efforts of the two countries aim to create conditions conducive to the socio-economic development of the DRC and to ensure the security of its population.