President Félix Tshisekedi has heaped blame on the country’s military for failing to uproot armed groups operating in the resource rich Eastern region.
The Congolese leader on Thursday hosted the country’s military leadership at the Presidential palace. The armed forces shared a meal with their commander-in-chief.
During their meeting, the President took a swipe at the Military and revealed flaws in the defense and security system. He also talked about the deterioration of the security situation which has lasted too long, particularly in the Kivu provinces.
“We have lost a lot of compatriots first because there are flaws in our defense and security system. We are in a sensitive and delicate phase. We are here at a crossroads,” he said.
“Either we succeed in this challenge that currently faces us or we fail and we definitively condemn this country, at least for a long time,” said Tshisekedi before noting that the enemies of the DRC only want the balkanization of the country.
“They want the partition of this country… but I, your supreme commander, tell you, they will not succeed,” he noted.
Tshisekedi rose to power on the promise that he would bring an end to armed conflicts in the East of the country, but has since failed to fix the security challenges.
“And for that, I need you, united and strong behind me. We will overcome this fight and take up the challenge for our people, for our compatriots unjustly taken from life… Just listen to me, line up in order behind me, I promise to bring you victory,” said Tshisekedi.
President Tshisekedi’s determination to fulfill his campaign promise made to the population of North Kivu, that of restoring lasting peace, is reflected in particular by reforms initiated within the armed forces and even diplomatic steps undertaken since his rise to power.
Regarding military solutions, Félix Tshisekedi promulgated the Military Programming Law and came into force on August 16, 2022. It programs the operation and budget of the Army over a period of four years, ranging from 2022 to 2025.
The military programming law is a multi-year financial law which sets the deadlines for payment credits relating to equipment and development expenditure of the Congolese armed forces.
In the same vein, this law defines the portion of the budget reserved for the development and equipment of the FARDC. It also determines the sequences and pace of operations or purchases to be carried out to achieve the precise objectives of the defense forces.
