Egypt discusses boosting military cooperation with DR Congo, Benin

CAIRO – 2 February 2023: Egypt discussed boosting military cooperation with each of DR Congo and Benin, as Congolese defence minister and Beninese army’s chief of staff visited Cairo on Wednesday.

Egyptian Minister of Defense Mohamed Zaki met on Wednesday with his Congolese counterpart, Minister of National Defence and Veterans, Gilbert Kabanda, in the headquarters of the Egyptian Ministry of Defense, the Egyptian military spokesman said in a statement.

During their meeting, Zaki and Kabanda discussed the development of the situations on the regional and international levels and their reflections on security and stability in Africa amid the current challenges and circumstances.

The ministers also discussed boosting military and security cooperation between Egypt and DR Congo in various fields.

Zaki affirmed appreciation of the ongoing military cooperation binding the Egyptian and Congolese armed forces in various fields, stressing the need to coordinate military efforts between the armed forces of both countries.

The Congolese minister, for his part, hailed Egypt’s efforts in support of all the African issues to establish the security and stability pillars in the continent and achieve the aspirations of its peoples.

Kabanda also affirmed aspiration to further coordination with Egypt on the issues of mutual concern.

Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces Osama Askar and a number of armed forces’ commanders from both countries attended the meeting, said the spokesman.

 

Meeting Beninese chief of staff

Askar also received Benin’s Armed Forces Chief of Army Staff, Brigadier General Fructueux GBAGUIDI, in the headquarters of the Egyptian Ministry of Defense in Cairo.

During the meeting, the chiefs of staff discussed a number of issues of mutual concern as well as the horizons of military cooperation between the armed forces of both countries.

Askar, for his part, affirmed Egypt’s appreciation of its special relations with Benin and affirmed the Egyptian Armed Forces’ keenness to boost cooperation and partnership with Benin in the various military fields.

The Beninese minister hailed Egypt’s effective role in all issues of the African continent, expressing aspiration for further military cooperation between the two countries.