DRC sends military attaché to Brussels
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is stationing a military attaché in Brussels. Defence minister Theo Francken learned this on Monday in Kinshasa, where he and Chief of Defence Frederik Vansina have a series of bilateral meetings on the agenda, including with his counterpart Guy Kabombo.
A military attaché is an official responsible for military matters within a diplomatic mission, generally an embassy. According to defence minister Francken, the sending of an attaché by the DRC is a new sign that relations between the two countries are becoming warmer. Relations between Belgium and Congo were tense during the reign of former president Joseph Kabila, but thawed again under his successor Felix Tshisekedi.
“This is the first time this has happened,” Francken emphasised. “Our military aid to Congo includes logistics, medical assistance and training. This is greatly appreciated here in Kinshasa, which improves our overall relations with Congo.”
Minister Francken will remain in Congo until Tuesday, after which he will visit Gabon on Wednesday. The joint Tropical Storm training exercise will take place there until 10 December.
A total of approximately 1,200 Belgian and 500 Gabonese military personnel are participating in this exercise. According to the ministry of defence, the training in an equatorial climate should contribute to the operational readiness of special operations, with a focus on specialised reconnaissance and direct action.
Illustration © PHOTO UNIVERSAL IMAGES GROUP
Related news
