Submit this form
Home News Videos Music Photos Facebook Twitter Friends Newsletter Podcasts Mobile RSS
Newly integrated army brigade heading to the east

KINSHASA, 3 Jun 2005 (IRIN) - The latest brigade in the newly integrated army of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) completed training on Wednesday and is expected to deploy to the east of the country, Defence Minister Adolphe Onusumba said.

"The unit will provide security and help prepare the ground for the elections," he told IRIN on Thursday.

The brigade comprises of soldiers from various fighting forces that opposed each other during the country's civil war. Their leaders are now members of the transitional government.

Belgium and South African instructors trained the integrated brigade at a camp in the southeastern town of Kamina, Katanga Province.

The defence ministers of the DRC, Belgium and South Africa attended the brigade's passing out parade on Wednesday, handing out a certificate to each of the 3,240 soldiers.

On Thursday, the Belgium and South African defence ministers signed an agreement with the DRC in the capital, Kinshasa, to help train and integrate other army troops.

Senior officers have already been integrated into the DRC's army command structure but many rank and file soldiers remain in the same fighting groups that existed during the war.

Two other brigades have been officially integrated. They are now based in Bunia, the capital of troubled northeastern district of Ituri, conducting joint operations with UN troops.

The latest integrated brigade will be deployed to the province of South Kivu where two Rwandan Hutu rebel groups - the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda and the Rasta - are allegedly committing atrocities against the local population.

Onusumba said two more brigades would complete their training within the next two weeks.


Related articles


  1. 'Deadly environment' plus 'political and social' obstacles hinder Ebola fight, Security Council hears (July 24, 2019)
  2. Ebola outbreak declared an international Public Health Emergency (July 17, 2019)
  3. Moise Katumbi blocked from entering DR Congo (August 3, 2018)
  4. At least 30 dead after massacres in Ituri (March 2, 2018)
  5. ICC Confirms 14-Year Sentence Against Thomas Lubanga (December 1, 2014)
  6. ICC sentences Germain Katanga to 12 years (May 23, 2014)
  7. At least 60 killed as train derails in Katanga province (April 23, 2014)
  8. ICC finds Germain Katanga guilty of war crimes and crime against humanity (March 7, 2014)
  9. Bosco Ntaganda Attacked Civilians on Ethnic Grounds, ICC Prosecutor Says (February 10, 2014)
  10. Rebel Leader Bosco Ntaganda Makes First Appearence Before the ICC (March 26, 2013)
  11. Bosco Ntaganda in the International Criminal Court's custody (March 22, 2013)
  12. International Criminal Court Acquits Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui (December 18, 2012)
  13. ICC Prosecutor Seeks 30 Years for Thomas Lubanga (June 13, 2012)
  14. ICC Prosecutor Seeks New Charges Against Ntaganda, FDLR Leader (May 14, 2012)
  15. Kabila's Position on The Arrest of Ntaganda 'Has Not Changed' (April 13, 2012)
  16. DR Congo Government Warns Bosco Ntaganda He May Face Justice (April 6, 2012)
  17. Thomas Lubanga found guilty of using child soldiers (March 14, 2012)
  18. Opposition Supporters Step Up Attacks on Congolese Officials Abroad (February 28, 2012)
  19. Kabila's Senior Advisor Katumba Mwanke Dies in Plane Crash (February 12, 2012)
  20. Supreme Court Rules Joseph Kabila Won Presidential Election (December 16, 2011)
  21. Kabila Leads Partial Election Results (December 3, 2011)
  22. Vote Counting Underway after Mostly Peaceful Elections (November 29, 2011)
  23. Candidates to Make Last Stand in Kinshasa before Monday's Election (November 26, 2011)
  24. Tshisekedi: UDPS Has Never Been for a Joint Opposition Candidacy (November 19, 2011)
  25. On the Campaign Trail, Kabila, Tshisekedi Cross Paths in Eastern Congo (November 15, 2011)
  26. UN advises prudent use of abundant resources to spur development (October 10, 2011)
  27. The Government Will Ensure Peaceful Elections, Says Spokesman (October 6, 2011)
  28. 19,497 Candidates to Run for 500 Seats in Parliament (September 26, 2011)
  29. Kabila's Election Speech Leads to Judges' Strike (September 20, 2011)
  30. Tshisekedi Draws Huge Crowds in Kinshasa (August 10, 2011)


Live TV Congo Radio en ligne Radio
Available on App Store
Get it on Google Play



Contact Us | About Us | Édition en Français | French Edition

© CongoPlanet.com. All rights reserved.