Félix tshisekedi orders detailed plan for drc-Egypt military training cooperation

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President Félix Tshisekedi recently briefed the Council of Ministers on the significant outcomes of his official visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt. This high-level trip, which took place from June 10 to 11, 2026, was at the invitation of his Egyptian counterpart, President Abdel Fattah Al-Sissi.

During their discussions, the two heads of state thoroughly assessed the bilateral cooperation between their nations. This partnership is deeply rooted in a shared history of advocating for sovereignty, independence, and dignity for African peoples, alongside strengthening Africa’s presence on the global stage, reflecting significant pan-African current affairs.

The official communiqué from the 92nd Council of Ministers meeting, held on Friday, June 12, 2026, at the African Union City in Kinshasa, indicated that this diplomatic mission underscored President Tshisekedi’s commitment to fortifying the Democratic Republic of Congo’s strategic alliances with fellow African nations. This renewed focus aims at fostering cooperation driven by mutual development and shared interests, marking crucial African news today.

This visit culminated in the signing of numerous cooperation agreements across various sectors, including investments, political and diplomatic consultations, urban development, and health. These agreements reflect a joint commitment from both countries to steer their partnership towards tangible outcomes that benefit their respective populations. Following his discussions with President Abdel Fattah El-Sissi, several key directives were established, as detailed in the meeting’s summary read by the government spokesperson.

The Council of Ministers’ report highlighted that these new instruments signify the shared desire of both nations to advance their partnership for concrete benefits to their citizens. A critical outcome of the discussions between President Tshisekedi and President Al-Sissi was a significant enhancement of military cooperation between the two states.

To effectively implement this crucial commitment, President Tshisekedi has mandated the government to initiate all necessary steps for the swift execution of this program.

Regarding defense, a substantial reinforcement of military collaboration was agreed upon, specifically through the establishment of a training program for Congolese soldiers in Egypt. The President of the Republic has directed the Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense, in close coordination with the Chief of General Staff of the FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo), to undertake all required arrangements for the implementation of this initiative and to present a comprehensive execution plan.

This advancement in military cooperation between Kinshasa and Cairo emerges as the Democratic Republic of Congo actively pursues the modernization of its armed forces and the enhancement of its defense capabilities. These efforts are critical in addressing the persistent security challenges in the eastern regions of the country, particularly in response to the aggression attributed to Rwanda through the AFC/M23 rebellion, which currently maintains control over significant areas within Nord-Kivu and Sud-Kivu provinces. This development is a key part of Africa politics English discussions on regional stability.