France Denies Troop Deployment to DRC, Affirms Training Congolese Forces. Kinshasa, DRC — France has refuted allegations of deploying troops to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), following a photo that emerged earlier this week seemingly depicting French soldiers in the northeastern city of Kisangani.
The French embassy in Kinshasa clarified that the presence of French military personnel in the region is due to a training mission for the Congolese armed forces, the FARDC, as part of a standard bilateral cooperation agreement that began in 2022.
According to the embassy, the French army’s current mission in Kisangani, a key hub for the Congolese military’s drone and logistics operations, is centered on training Congo’s jungle battalions. This training exercise is anticipated to conclude by the end of next month.
Additionally, Belgian forces are engaged in training FARDC soldiers under the European Peace Facility.
Last year, over 1,000 FARDC soldiers received training from MONUSCO peacekeepers in efforts to protect civilians from armed groups in Ituri, as well as in North and South Kivu.
The French embassy emphasized that the training mission is consistent with the ongoing efforts to support the Congolese military in enhancing its capabilities and contributing to regional stability. This denial comes as the DRC continues to face various security challenges, particularly in its eastern regions, where armed groups remain active.
Further details regarding the nature of the French military’s involvement or any specific outcomes of the training exercises have not been disclosed.
Officials have not yet commented on the potential impact of these training initiatives on the broader security landscape in the DRC.
As the situation develops, Further details are expected to emerge in the coming days.
