In a show of solidarity and support for troops battling armed groups in the east of the country, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita, visited the operational zone of Lubero in North Kivu, venturing within five kilometers of the frontline where the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) are engaged in combat against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an armed group affiliated with the Islamic State.
This visit, the first by a Defense Minister to this region since 2022, saw Minister Kabombo chair a strategic security council meeting with military officers to discuss operational matters and assess the situation on the ground. He was accompanied by military governor Ivaristo Kakou Lesomo and the Deputy Chief of Staff of the FARDC, Nyali Gonzandoro.
During his visit, Minister Kabombo met with local civil society groups and notables who expressed their concerns about the ongoing violence, including abuses committed by ADF rebels, Mai-Mai militias, and the advance of the M23 rebel group.
Addressing the local population, Minister Kabombo emphasized the importance of trusting the FARDC and avoiding any form of cooperation with the enemy. He conveyed President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo’s message of encouragement and support to the troops fighting on the frontlines.
The Minister also visited soldiers wounded in combat, expressing his gratitude for their bravery and sacrifice in defending the nation.
This visit underscores the DRC government’s commitment to restoring peace and stability to the troubled region of North Kivu.
AC/Sf/fss/abj/APA