The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) may consider establishing a military training partnership with Russia, involving military instructors, when the time is right. However, this is not currently on the agenda, Patrick Muyaya, the Minister of Communications and the spokesperson for the government of the DRC, told Sputnik.
"Each country has its own strategy from this perspective, based on assessed needs and the nature of services they expect to receive from their partners. The DRC has its own approach, and I do not think it resembles that of others. But when the time comes, strategists or those responsible for this matter will be able to examine it. As far as I know, it is not currently on the agenda," he said.
Following failed mediation efforts under the auspices of Angola, the M23 rebel movement has resumed its offensive in the eastern DRC in recent weeks. The authorities of the republic accuse neighboring Rwanda of supporting the rebels and call on it to withdraw troops from the DRC. Rwanda denies all allegations.
Earlier, Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, emphasized that Russia is "deeply concerned" about the escalation of conflict in the DRC by M23 rebels and condemns it.