Fatshimetrie: Historic SADC Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit in Goma to Assess Military Operations in DRC
The city of Goma, in the Congolese province of North Kivu, is hosting for the first time an unprecedented summit of the Chiefs of Defence Staff of the member countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). This strategic meeting, which takes place from 1 October, marks a crucial moment since the deployment of the first SADC military contingents in eastern DRC.
Under the chairmanship of Major General Ibhrahim Mike Muhona, the SADC military authorities are meeting to assess the progress of the ongoing operations, both in terms of equipment and military personnel deployed on the combat field. This in-depth assessment will make it possible to identify the successes achieved so far, but also to identify the challenges and obstacles encountered in the context of this intervention mission.
With the one-year mandate of the SADC forces coming to an end, this meeting is particularly important to consider new strategies and adjustments needed to ensure the success of military operations in the DRC. Major General Muhona underlines the importance of this in-depth assessment to guide the next actions to be undertaken.
The SADC contingents engaged in eastern DRC come from countries such as South Africa, Malawi and Tanzania. In response to the aggression against the DRC, SADC has mobilized to support the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) in the fight against armed groups, particularly the M23.
This meeting of the SADC Chiefs of Defence Staff in Goma reflects the continued commitment of member countries of the regional community to promote stability and security in the DRC. By thoroughly assessing the ongoing military operations, SADC is positioning itself as a key player in peacebuilding and combating insecurity in the Great Lakes region.
In conclusion, this SADC Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit in Goma is a crucial step in regional collaboration to ensure security and stability in the DRC. The discussions and assessments conducted at this meeting will effectively guide SADC’s future actions in its military operations in the DRC.