Newscenter Media News The Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC’s) Defence Minister, Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita, has embarked on a visit to South Africa to strengthen bilateral defence relations between the two nations. This comes as five former African country presidents were appointed to head an eminent persons’ panel to oversee efforts to end violence in the eastern DRC.
South Africa’s Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans said Muadimvita’s visit this week will discuss key areas of defence cooperation and bolster strategic defence capabilities between the two nations.
Talks between Muadiamvita and his South African counterpart, Angie Motshekga, come against the backdrop of heightened tensions in the mineral-rich eastern region of the DRC, where South African troops, part of a Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission, have suffered significant losses. In January, 14 South African soldiers were killed by the M23 armed group, which has been advancing rapidly in the area. Despite these challenges, the South African Ministry of Defence emphasised that the partnership with the DRC is crucial for promoting peace, security, and stability across the region.
“The defence collaboration between South Africa and the DRC is of paramount importance, not just for our two countries, but for the broader African continent. This partnerships is crucial for fostering peace, security, and stability across the region,” Motshekga said.
At a dinner hosted for Muadiamvita at the St George Hotel on 24 March, Deputy Defence Minister Bantu Holomisa said, “Tonight, we celebrate not just our shared history, but our commitment to a future of prosperity and security. The bond between South Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo exemplifies what can be achieved when nations unite with a common purpose. Our collaboration in defence and security transcends strategic alliance—it represents a brotherhood forged through mutual respect and understanding.”
Corporal Noluvo Linomtha Mabanga reported for Defence Corporate Communication that Muadiamvita’s visit is designed to strengthen technical and training capabilities, with a focus on special operations, rapid reaction, naval, and aviation expertise.
“Both nations have committed to advancing their defence industries through collaborative logistics and material acquisition, facilitated by the Aerospace Maritime, and Defence Industries Association. This partnership will ensure effective monitoring of progress and skill transfers between the two countries,” Mabanga reported.
A critical aspect of the dialogue is the cooperation on defence intelligence and medical assistance, including the training of medical practitioners. Additionally, a comprehensive review and reform of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Military Strategy for 2026 to 2030 is on the agenda, Mabanga added.
Meanwhile, broader regional efforts to address the conflict in the DRC continue. A panel of African eminent persons, including former presidents Catherine Samba Panza (Central African Republic), Sahle-Work Zewde (Ethiopia), Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya), Olesegun Obasanjo (Nigeria), and Kgalema Motlanthe (South Africa), was on 24 March named to oversee continental peace initiatives. This panel follows a virtual summit between the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community, which outlined a roadmap for achieving sustainable peace in eastern DRC.
The newly appointed peace facilitators, as per an EAC communique, will have a briefing session with EAC, SADC and African Union (AU) representatives within seven days of the 24 March summit.
Among recommendations on the immediate to-do list (within 30 days) are initiating direct military engagement to enforce an unconditional ceasefire, reopening Goma and Kavumu airports to facilitate humanitarian access, and establishing a Joint EAC/SADC verification mechanism to monitor compliance with ceasefire agreements.
An assessment of humanitarian and security needs in North and South Kivu by what is termed a joint field technical assessment team, comprising knowledgeable people in military operations, intelligence, logistics, aviation and civil works, is also on the immediate list.
The medium term (30 to 120 days) will see the EAC/SADC strategy focus on confidence building measures, political negotiations and enhanced regional cooperation. This will see engagement with parties to the conflict under a unified EAC/SADC framework, formal declaration of a permanent ceasefire and diplomatic efforts to secure United Nations (UN) support to strengthen MONUSCO’s peacekeeping operations mandate. Efforts will also be made to co-ordinate regional security forces to ensure stability in conflict affected areas.
Further ahead, beyond the 120 day mark, longer term measures will look to strengthen the DRC’s security forces, restore state authority in previously occupied territories and address the root causes of the conflict. On the menu are socio-economic development programmes, infrastructure reconstruction, initiatives aimed at political reconciliation and long term peacebuilding.
Also still ahead and agreed to in principle is a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two regional economic communities (RECs). It, among others, will finalise co-ordination of DRC peace initiatives and final input has to be submitted before 14 April with an as yet virtual meeting of senior officials to approve the MoU.
Meanwhile, earlier this week M23 rebels announced plans to withdraw their forces from Walikale, a town they recently captured in the eastern DRC. This move is intended to support peace efforts and aligns with a ceasefire declared in February. The decision comes after the rebels pulled out of scheduled peace talks in Angola due to European Union sanctions on some of their leaders and Rwandan officials.
The Congolese government has expressed hope that the Walikale withdrawal will lead to tangible actions, though military officials remain sceptical. Rwanda has welcomed the withdrawal as a positive step towards peace.
The M23’s advance has been significant, with Walikale marking their furthest western point, placing them about 400 km from Kisangani, the DRC’s fourth largest city. The M23 achieved a major victory in January after taking the town of Goma, the capital and largest city of North Kivu Province.
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