MPs visit Malawi troops in DRC

Members of Parliament (MPs) have arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for the first time to visit Malawi Defence Force (MDF) troops who are carrying out ‘targeted offensive operations’ against rebel groups in the country’s resource-rich east.

The MPs are Billy Kanjira Banda from Mchinji West Constituency (MCP), Clement Mkumbwa of Chitipa Central (DPP) and Bentley Namasasu from Lilongwe City South-East (DPP).

The MPs are part of the delegation led by MDF deputy commander lieutenant general Griffin Supuni-Phiri. The delegation also includes Ministry of Defence principal secretary Mcphail Magwira.

Upon arrival at Goma Airport, the delegation had an audience with Force Intervention Brigade (FIB) commander brigadier general Rhamadam Kimwera

FIB comprises 3 000 troops from Malawi, Tanzania and South Africa who were granted an explicitly combative mandate to protect civilians from ongoing violence perpetrated by armed rebel groups.

Malawi has 850 troops in the FIB.

The MPs are in DRC to appreciate the work and encourage troops in their mission of keeping peace in DRC.

“This trip is very important to us because, as Members of Parliament, we will be able to tell the House the challenges and way forward after assessing the situation on the ground,’ said Kanjira Banda.

Kimwera, a Tanzanian national, and his chief of staff lieutenant colonel Harold Kalisha of Malawi said the FBI is carrying out a lot of operations to the extent that they are sometimes overstretched and also the equipment breaks down.

Some of the challenges, according to Kimwera, is that due to high-level fluid operations, there is need for troop contributing countries (TCCs) to factor in frequent equipment replacement plans to make operations easier in terms of transportation of soldiers and equipment.

Supuni-Phiri said after visiting the Malawi camp and other operational areas, the delegation will update the nation on the situation in the DRC.