## International Collaboration to Combat the ADF in Beni, North Kivu: A Key Strategy for Strengthening Security
The recent appointment of General Richard Tobias Chagonapanja as the new Commander of MONUSCO’s Intervention Brigade (FIB) in Beni, North Kivu, underscores the importance of collaboration among all local and national actors in the fight against rebel forces, particularly the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).
In a poignant statement at a press conference, General Chagonapanja made it clear that defeating the ADF can only be achieved through a collective and coordinated approach. He stressed the need for close cooperation between international forces, such as MONUSCO’s FIB, and local actors, including the Ugandan Army (UPDF) supporting the Congolese army in tracking down the ADF.
The goals set by General Chagonapanja are both ambitious and achievable. It aims to restrict the ADF’s freedom of movement, ensure the protection of civilians and, in the long term, eliminate any potential ADF threat. However, he stressed that the FIB cannot achieve these objectives alone. Collaboration with local partners, including local populations, political authorities and traditional leaders, is crucial to ensure the success of this mission.
Security and peace in the Beni region depend on close cooperation between all actors involved. The ADF threat can only be eradicated through a unified approach and joint action. By partnering with local and international forces, the FIB seeks to strengthen security and bring stability to the region, while ensuring the protection of vulnerable civilians.
General Chagonapanja clearly stressed that victory against the ADF requires the full commitment of all actors involved and a multidimensional approach. By joining forces and coordinating their actions, the forces of the FIB, UPDF, FARDC, PNC, as well as local populations, can defeat the ADF and restore the long-awaited peace in the region.
In conclusion, international and local collaboration is essential to effectively combat rebel groups like the ADF. General Chagonapanja called for unity and solidarity, stressing that it is together that we can overcome security challenges and ensure a peaceful future for the Beni region.