In the midst of a crisis between Félix Tshisekedi and his predecessor, Joseph Kabila, over the control of strategic institutions, the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) is breaking its silence. During a press conference on Thursday, November 12, in Kinshasa, they gave their support to the institutions while warning politicians and those calling for the army’s revolt. A press release that is similar to a focus.
as reported from Kinshasa, Pascal Mulegwa
In recent days, on social networks, messages calling for troops to revolt have been spread: arrears of salaries and bonuses, lack of combat equipment and even fuel. Everything is swept aside with the back of his hand by General Léon Richard Kasonga, spokesman for the army: “FARDC wants to point out that for their harmonious function they receive different financial, logistical, technical and structural appropriations, adapted and thus. The government forces received special attention from the commander-in-chief. The authors of the call for the military revolt in social networks must know that their disruption will pass. “
Some difficulties
However, the officer acknowledges that certain difficulties arising from Covid-19 and the unfavorable international environment preventing the payment, in particular the operating costs. According to him, this campaign aims to divide the troops and assemble them against political power. Hence this point: “The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo calls on all brave combatants to remain united, disciplined as always, vigilant and behind the Supreme Commander. Discipline requires that soldiers only execute orders from their hierarchy. They owe submission and loyalty to legally established institutions. “
A “fallen” building
As for the army personnel called to move from Mont-Ngaliema, inhabited by President Tshisekedi, his security unit and the Ministry of Defense, to the army spokesman, this has been planned for a long time: “This building is dilapidated. Today, the number of commanders here exceeds what was expected at the time. On this website, it is impossible to put everyone together and carry out our constitutional regulatory tasks in a convincing way. ”
The general warns political actors. They must refrain from, I quote, “talking about the armed forces and dealing with abuse” on command.
Also read: DRC: Army personnel called to leave Mont-Ngaliema headquarters
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