DR Congo to maintain one-fourth of its existing armed forces

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) would reduce its national army to 50,000 troops over five years, numbering only one quarter of its existing force, President Joseph Kabila announced on Friday.

He told the state television that the DRC needed an effective army to defend the war-torn country and serve its people.

The National Army Force in the DRC (FARDC) first had to complete its reorganization, according to the president.

The FARDC now only has 14 integrated brigades three years after the transitional period began in 2003. It was still short of the targeted 18 brigades, he said.

Kabila vowed to step up the rebuilding of the national army, saying that troops that had not yet been integrated into the FARDC were posing a threat to the political stability of the country.

Last month, Defense Minister Adolphe Onusumba said there were more than 80,000 militias being controlled by different armed political groups in the DRC.

Kabila also pledged to improve the welfare of the army and accelerate the construction of barracks and military bases.

He expressed the hope that the DRC would develop into a strong nation in the region or even in Africa through democratic elections, thus turning from an era of war and misery. Millions of people were killed during the country's 1998-2003 civil war.

The president made the television speech ahead of Sunday's presidential runoff. He is to face his ex-vice president Pierre Bemba in the second round of presidential elections.

They were front-runners in the first round of the presidential poll on July 30. However, neither gathered more than 50 percent of the vote for an outright victory.

Source: Xinhua