Kinshasa negotiates three new Chinese attack drones

Congolese security officials are discussing a costly contract with the Chinese giant Catic to acquire three aircraft

and prepare the army's counteroffensive against the M23 in the east of the country.

In February, negotiations reached an advanced stage between Kinshasa and the state-owned China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corp (Catic) regarding a major drone procurement project. In this context, General Jules Banza Mwilambwe's general staff expects to receive various stocks of munitions, including FT-10 guided bombs, PL-10 (air-to-air) and HJ-10 (anti-tank) missiles, as well as BRM-1 guided rockets to equip three Wing Loong attack drones. Kinshasa hopes to receive the first aircraft by the end of the year.

A few days after the fall of Goma, the capital of North Kivu, to the M23 rebels, the Congolese Minister of Defense, Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita, committed on February 2 to acquiring these long-range drones and a control station, at a cost of €172 million.

The particularly expensive purchase project has drawn criticism from Congolese security circles.

However, it should allow operators of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) to benefit from four months of training in China, while Catic could provide maintenance for the equipment for a period of five years. The acquisition of drones for the FARDC was described as "very important" by the Minister of Defense in a letter requesting approval sent to Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka in early February. The three aircraft are intended to carry out deep strikes against M23 elements and their supporters in the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF).

Military Cooperation Agreement

The discussions follow a military cooperation agreement signed between the DRC and China in September 2024, on the sidelines of Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita's visit to the Ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing. While the negotiations involved the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff, they did not involve President Félix Tshilombo's Military Staff, headed by General Franck Ntumba. The latter's position has been weakened since the beginning of the year due to the operational successes of the coalition between the M23 and the RDF in the east of the country.

In 2023 and 2024, the FARDC already received attack drones from China. China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp (Casc) was then contracted by Kinshasa to deliver a total of nine CH-4 drones, several of which were quickly shot down.

Beyond Chinese suppliers, the Congolese authorities have also approached the Belarusian state agency BelTechExport (Beltech) to procure aircraft. At the end of last year, the UAVHeli company delivered more than a hundred Berkut kamikaze drones to the Congolese army. The result of an agreement dating back to August 2024. The contract, signed by General Franck Ntumba, also included the delivery of around ten mobile control stations installed on Toyota Land Cruisers and launch platforms.

Regarding training, the FARDC received drone simulators, while around ten Belarusian instructors spent three months in Kinshasa and Kisangani (Tshopo province) to train the Congolese operators. But this equipment has already suffered the consequences of the military debacle in the east. In January, the M23 seized a large arsenal during the capture of Goma, including Berkut drones.

M23 announces immediate cessation of hostilities on all Frontlines

 

In a statement resembling a joint declaration but signed unilaterally, the M23 announced an immediate cessation of hostilities on all front lines after the Doha talks.

The M23 statement indicated that both parties agreed on these stances, which would lead to genuine dialogue.

It should be noted that at the end of the "Dialogue Between Congolese" on radio stations this Wednesday evening, government spokesperson Patrick Muayaya confirmed the presence of such a document and its recognition.

AFC/M23 leaves Negotiations and rashes to Goma

 

After three weeks of discussions under the auspices of Qatari mediation, talks between the Congolese government and the AFC/M23 rebellion ended in failure. The rebel movement's delegation left Doha for its headquarters in Goma, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

No Concrete Progress

Despite some direct exchanges, the deep differences between the two parties have not been resolved. Tensions escalated during the preparation of a joint communiqué, the content of which crystallized the disagreements.

Persistent Points of Contention

Kinshasa would have preferred the communiqué to explicitly state that the discussions followed the meeting between Presidents Tshisekedi (DRC) and Kagame (Rwanda). This proposal was immediately rejected by the AFC/M23, which considers this dispute an interstate conflict that does not concern them.

Another source of tension: the Congolese government's demand for a joint commitment to the disarmament of all armed groups. The AFC/M23 rejected this proposal, accusing Kinshasa of collaborating with some of these militias on the ground.

Unilateral Withdrawal and Security Demands

The rebels demanded, in return, the withdrawal of the Congolese armed forces (FARDC) and the Wazalendo militias from the Walikale region, which they consider a prerequisite for any progress. Their own withdrawal from certain positions was reportedly presented as a "gesture of good faith."

Dialogue Stalled

According to the AFC/M23, several prerequisites submitted to the Qatari mediation have remained unanswered by the Congolese government, which they now accuse of "bad faith." The rebellion is now making any resumption of discussions conditional on Kinshasa appointing negotiators with real decision-making power, and not, according to it, "mere experts with a vague mandate."

Release on prisoners!

Among the more than 700 prisoners whose release was demanded by AFC/M23 during the Doha negotiations with the Tshisekedi government was the son of Major General Eric Murokore, the overall commander of the RDF/M23 forces operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo. His son, Murokore Mushabe Moses, an RDF captain, was listed alongside several accomplices, including Colonel Santos Mugisha Ruyumbu, a FARDC military officer; Remy Nganji Nsengiyumwa, a Congolese national; Juvénal Nshimiyimana Biseruka, an operative of Rwanda's National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) who had been deployed under the Swiss-funded NGO, African Health Development Organization; and Josette Umwali, a veteran operative of Rwanda’s external intelligence services, also deployed in the DRC.

These RDF operatives were arrested in Kinshasa in December 2022 for plotting to assassinate DRC President Félix Tshisekedi by shooting down his presidential jet, in a manner reminiscent of the assassination of Juvénal Habyarimana. The arrests followed their purchase of land and the rental of an apartment adjacent to N'djili International Airport.

President Félix Tshisekedi recently released five detainees, most of whom are relatives of Corneille Nangaa, as a gesture. However, the RDF-M23 alliance has refused to acknowledge this step and has instead submitted to Qataris mediators a list of over 700 prisoners they demand to be released. On the list there are names such as ​Éric Nkuba Shebandu, Nicaisse Samafu Makinu, Nangaa Baseyane ,Nkangya Nyamacho alias Microbe, Safari Bishori Luc, ​Édouard Mwangachuchu Hizi...etc. 

Former president Joseph Kabila to drawn to court for participation in M23 war

 Congolese authorities have announced the opening of legal proceedings against former President Joseph Kabila Kabange, accused of "direct participation in the aggression led by Rwanda through the AFC/M23 terrorist movement," the Minister of State, Minister of Justice, and Keeper of the Seals said in a statement.

According to this statement dated April 18, the Minister instructed the FARDC Auditor General and the Attorney General at the Court of Cassation to initiate proceedings against Mr. Kabila. He also ordered the seizure of all his movable and immovable property. Movement restrictions have been imposed on his alleged collaborators in what the authorities describe as "a case of high treason against the nation."

The Ministry of the Interior, for its part, suspended the activities of the People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), the party led by Mr. Kabila. In another official statement, he denounced the former president's "ambiguous attitude" regarding the occupation of part of the national territory by Rwandan forces and their M23/AFC allies, as well as his return to Goma, "a city under enemy control."

The Interior Ministry indicated that it intends to refer the matter to the prosecutor's office at the Constitutional Court and reminded political parties of their duty to preserve the national unity and territorial integrity of the DRC.

No immediate response was available from Joseph Kabila or the PPRD.

Al-Shabaab’s Underground Tactics Keep Them in Control of Abooreey Village Despite Government Efforts to Retake It.

Abooreey village in Hiraan province has become a focal point of intense clashes between Al-Shabaab militants and Somali government forces, supported by airstrikes from allied partners. Despite the heavy use of artillery and aerial bombardments, Al-Shabaab has successfully maintained control of the village, showcasing advanced battle tactics that have made it challenging for government forces to dislodge them.

The militants have effectively utilized the region’s terrain, constructing underground bunkers to conceal their fighters and heavy weaponry. Additionally, they have deployed landmines and snipers strategically, significantly increasing casualties among government troops.

Al-Shabaab has received continuous reinforcements from neighboring areas, including the western parts of Hiraan and settlements along the river, enabling the group to maintain a consistent supply chain of food, medicine, and fresh troops, further prolonging the conflict.

Alshabaab eyeing Mogadishu??

Traditional Elder Xaad Warns of Al-Shabaab’s Intentions to Capture Mogadishu, Alleges Foreign Support

Prominent traditional elder Ugaas Xaad issued a strong warning against the militant group Al-Shabaab during a clan conference held in Mogadishu, stating that the Alshabab is actively seeking to capture the Somali capital.

Elder Xaad alleged that Al-Shabaab is receiving backing from powerful foreign countries that support the group’s extremist ideology. However, he did not name any specific countries during his remarks.

“Al-Shabaab is not acting alone. They are being supported by major foreign actors who share and fund their radical agenda,” he said, emphasizing the threat the group poses not only to Mogadishu but to national stability.

The elder’s statement comes at a time when security concerns remain high in the capital despite ongoing military operations against the group. His remarks are seen as a call to unity among clans and communities to resist extremist influence.

Mobutu family denies allegations that their son joined M23

 

Did Joseph Kabila and John Numbi met in Harare to plan a war on Kinshasha?

 Joseph Kabila and John Numbi met yesterday in Harare, Zimbabwe.

After the Kampala, Uganda, meeting, which failed due to Museveni refusing to allow his country to serve as a base to overthrow Kisangani, Joseph Kabila and John Numbi met yesterday in Harare, Zimbabwe, where they have set up their base. The duo intends to recruit Bakata-Katanga to attack Greater Katanga and force negotiations on Félix Tshisekedi.