The transfer of command between the new chief of general staff of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), Lieutenant General Jules Banza and his predecessor, Army General Christian Tshiwewe, took place this Monday January 6 at Lieutenant-Colonel Kokolo camp in Kinshasa.
During this ceremony, the President of the Republic, Félix Tshisekedi, took note of the swearing-in of the new chief of general staff of the FARDC.
The new head of the armed forces has sworn to defend the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC in the face of all threats. Speaking, the outgoing chief of staff recalled the security challenge currently facing the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This change takes place in a difficult context, where the national army is facing in particular the M23 rebellion in the east of the country. Supported for Rwanda, it has gradually occupied part of the province of North Kivu for more than three years.
General Mazunzu in Kisangani
The new commander of the 3rd defense zone, Lieutenant General Pacifique Masunzu also took office this same Monday in Kisangani (Tshopo).
He replaces Lieutenant General Marcel Mbangu, transferred to Kongo-Central, where he will take command of the Kitona military base.
