DRC Defense Minister Admits Communication Breach by M23
The Minister of Defense of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita, has acknowledged that the Alliance Fleuve Congo/March 23 Movement infiltrated the military communication systems of the national army, allowing them to access sensitive battlefield plans.
Muadiamvita disclosed the information during a session with members of the parliamentary commission in charge of defense and security, where he was addressing concerns over the operational capacity of the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC).
According to the minister, the rebel coalition possesses significantly more advanced communication capabilities compared to the national army. He explained that weaknesses in FARDC’s communication systems enabled the enemy to intercept messages exchanged between command units and frontline troops, severely undermining military operations.
“In the absence of strong and modern communication systems, our forces on the battlefield faced serious challenges, as the enemy was able to access their messages, making effective operations difficult,” Muadiamvita stated.
A report compiled by the parliamentary commission emphasized that reliable communication is a critical pillar of military effectiveness. It noted that failures in this area have contributed to repeated setbacks suffered by FARDC forces in ongoing conflicts.
The defense minister further revealed that the Congolese government has initiated discussions with allied countries to acquire advanced and secure communication technologies that cannot be penetrated by AFC/M23.
