Major General Monwabisi Dyakopu has been appointed as the Commander of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC).
This 55-year-old senior officer will once again serve in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, facing almost the same problem: the M23 rebellion supported by Rwanda.
Back then, the Intervention Brigade was tasked with fighting against armed groups in the East, with M23 being the primary target. It had a total strength of more than 2,500 men. The Brigade was made up of three infantry battalions, supported by an artillery company and a reconnaissance company, as well as "special forces".
Major General Monwabisi Dyakopu was involved in the deployment of another international force in Eritrea/Ethiopia. He played a role as the commander of the 8th South African Infantry Battalion in 2009.
In the DRC, the SAMIDRC began its deployment on December 15, 2023, to provide support to the Congolese government in its efforts to restore peace and security in the east of the country, following the resurgence of M23.
This regional mission was approved during the Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the SADC held in Windhoek, Namibia, on May 8, 2023.
The SAMIDRC force is composed of troops from Malawi, South Africa, and Tanzania, as well as elements from the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC).
Dido Nsapu