Regional defence chiefs meet over Kimia II

DRC BORDER - Army chiefs from Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burundi met on Monday in the Congolese border town of Goma to evaluate the ongoing joint DRC-UN military operations against FDLR.

Wednesday, September 02, 2009
(From L-R) Gen Kabarebe, DRCu2019s Gen. Didier Etumba and Burundiu2019s deputy army chief Maj. Gen. Diomede Ndegeya.

DRC BORDER - Army chiefs from Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burundi met on Monday in the Congolese border town of Goma to evaluate the ongoing joint DRC-UN military operations against FDLR.

The Congolese army (FARDC) and the UN mission in DRC (MONUC) are conducting a joint military offensive against the militias in North and South Kivu provinces that include remnants of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).

Major Jill Rutaremara, the Army Spokesman confirmed this on phone last evening noting that Rwanda was represented by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. James Kabarebe and several other top military officials.

"The meeting was aimed at evaluating the ongoing joint military operations between the Congolese army and MONUC and we as Rwanda are happy about these joint operations because they are registering success,” said Rutaremara.

"This was also a follow up of the recent meeting of the Heads of State of Rwanda and DRC,” he said.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame and his Congolese counterpart Joseph Kabila met in Goma last month.

The meeting held at Goma’s Cap Kivu hotel was also attended by the Congolese army FARDC chief Gen. Didier Etumba, Burundi’s deputy army chief Maj. Gen. Diomede Ndegeya as well as MONUC’ force commander – Gen. Babacar Gaye.

Ends