New York, ANGOLA, February 15 - The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the United Nations have reiterated their commitment to peace and stability in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to foster smooth holding of elections for December 2018. ,

 

The decision was made Wednesday at the Second Engagement Meeting between SADC and the UN, held in New York.

 

The meeting focused on the challenges faced by the Force Intervention Brigade (FIB) in DRC.

 

Angola was represented at the event by a delegation led by the Chief of General Staff of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA), Geraldo Sachipengo Nunda.

 

In addition to Angola - Chair of the SADC Political, Defence and Security Cooperation Organ - the meeting gathered Double Troika of the Sub-regional Organisation (South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and Swaziland).

 

Also attended the event, Troop Contributing Countries to MONUSCO-FIB (South Africa, Malawi and Tanzania) and the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO).

 

The participants evaluated the degree of implementation of the mutual agreements reached during the First Engagement Meeting, held on July 10, 2017, also in New York.

 

At Second Meeting, SADC expressed concern about the volatility of political, security and humanitarian situation in the eastern DRC.

 

Concern was also expressed about the incorrect way in which the concept of FIB operations has been interpreted within the framework of its integrated mandate at MONUSCO, the reduction of its operational capacity, which robs it of its ability to combat illegal armed groups.

 

SADC concerns also based on the recent attacks carried out by the armed Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) group, which claimed the lives of many military personnel from Tanzania serving the FIB, which is a mechanism of the United Nations Mission for the Stabilisation of DRC (MONUSCO).

 

The Angolan delegation was integrated by director for SADC of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sandro de Oliveira, head of the Department of Strategic Strategic Intelligence Lino João, deputy head of Peacekeeping Operations Paulo Francisco, and diplomats of the Permanent Mission of Angola to the UN.

 

Meanwhile, the parties agreed to combine efforts to make MONUSCO-FIB stronger and able to fulfill its mandate.

 

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