Elite Kenyan and Brazilian soldiers have teamed up to take part in a three-week jungle warfare training in Beni, Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Kenya Quick Reaction Force (QRF) and Brazilian Jungle Warfare Mobile Training Team (JWMTT) will train in the thick of the Congolese jungle.
Both armies serve under the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) and will be comparing notes on jungle warfare.
“Under the lush canopy of the dense Congolese jungle, soldiers from Kenya’s QRF, renowned for their expertise in jungle warfare, join forces with their Brazilian counterparts, who bring their extensive knowledge of tropical environments and counterinsurgency tactics,” Kenya Defense Forces statement dated September 20, reads in part.
The Congo forest is home to several rebel groups that know the terrain like the backs of their hands, something that can be a disadvantage to the armies combatting them.
It is for this reason that rebels constantly stage attacks in the forest.
Through this training, soldiers from both Kenya and Brazil will learn how to navigate under dense foliage, jungle survival skills, patrolling techniques and medical care in harsh conditions.
“Participants will undergo grueling physical and mental challenges, pushing them to their limits and preparing them for the unpredictable nature of jungle warfare,” KDF stated.
Confirming the programme, Lieutenant Colonel Ambrose Mwabili, Kenya QRF’s commanding Officer explained its significance.
“Jungle warfare presents unique challenges that require specialized skills and tactics. By sharing our experiences and learning from the Brazilians, we hope to become even more effective in our mission to protect civilians and maintain peace in this region,” the Lieutenant Colonel remarked.
Similarly, Brazilian Lieutenant Colonel Joao Carlos Duque echoed Mwabili’s sentiments saying, "The diversity of our soldiers and the expertise we have gained from operating in the Amazon rainforest make us a valuable partner in this venture. Together with our Kenyan colleagues, we aim to raise the bar for peacekeeping forces in jungle environments.”
Notably, on the same day the training program took off, President Felix Tshisekedi demanded that the UN’s peacekeeping mission leave Congo saying it has failed to rein in the conflict that has ravaged the country.
“It’s time for our country to take its destiny fully in hand and become the leading security force in Congo,” Tshisekedi said in an address at the annual United Nations gathering of world leaders on September 20.
