KINSHASA, DRC, November 12, 2024-/African Media Agency (AMA)/- In a context marked by the danger posed by explosive devices and remnants of explosives of war, in the conflict zones of the eastern part of Congo, The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) launched training on November 4 in Goma aimed at strengthening the capacities of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC). Until November 29, twenty officers are focusing on the evaluation and neutralization of explosive devices (EOD).
Faced with the persistent problem of explosive devices which represent a significant threat to civilian populations and security forces, the FARDC recognizes that it lacks specialized personnel in this area. Currently, only ten Congolese army officers are trained in the assessment and neutralization of explosive devices. Among them, four are assigned to the Congolese Mine Action Center (CCLAM), of which only two have advanced level training (EOD3) allowing them to manage and neutralize large caliber munitions.
“We were selected to come and take the course and help our nation. At the end of our training, we will be able to identify and understand improvised explosive devices, their effects, and their functioning with a view to mitigating the threat caused by these devices. This training is crucial for us because there are a lot of events happening in our country. It is necessary for the country to have capable and trained people,” pointed out Lieutenant Munganga Dindu, of the 30th military engineering regiment.
In a country as vast as the DRC, where many areas are still infested by explosive war devices or improvised devices of criminal or terrorist origin, the need for qualified personnel is all the more pressing. Also, the lack of technical skills in mine clearance units represents a major risk for the safety of both civilians and soldiers.
Targeted and certified training
This training program aims to prepare Congolese soldiers for missions of evaluation and neutralization of explosive devices. “We have started a collaboration with the Congolese state which is part of the mandate of the United Nations mission. Here, MONUSCO – more precisely UNMAS – has made commitments to provide support to the FARDC and the PNC in the fight against explosive dangers: mines, explosive remnants of war, improvised explosive devices. It’s a difficult but important matter for the country,” declared Jean-Denis Larsen, UNMAS representative in the DRC.
The training is delivered by international experts, in partnership with the MONUSCO Force. It includes practical and theoretical modules, allowing participants to strengthen their skills and expertise in risk management linked to explosive devices. At the end of the session, participants will receive a certificate attesting to their ability to perform operator functions in the evaluation and neutralization of explosive devices.
UNMAS does not intend to stop at this training alone; others will follow in the coming months. “Our hope is that at the latest, in December 2025, there will be at least twenty FARDC / Republican Guard / PNC elements combined who will have the capacity to manage munitions, carry out operations to neutralize and destroy explosives. “, continued Mr. Larsen.
As part of a gradual transition of responsibilities from MONUSCO to national authorities, the objective of this training is to provide the Congolese army and police with advanced technical skills in order to minimize the risks linked to explosive devices, in particular in the eastern part of the country where numerous conflicts which have persisted for years have spread these devices across the fields as well as in certain towns.
Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) for the MINUSCA.
Source : African Media Agency (AMA)
2024-11-12 09:22:00
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**Training for Explosive Device Management Launches in Goma, DRC**
**Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo**, November 12, 2024—The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) commenced a significant training program on November 4, aimed at bolstering the capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) in managing explosive devices. This initiative, which runs until November 29, involves training twenty officers in evaluation and neutralization of explosive ordnance in conflict-affected eastern regions of the country.
The issue of explosive devices remains a critical threat in the DRC, where their presence endangers civilians and security personnel alike. Currently, the FARDC faces a shortage of specialized personnel, with only ten officers trained in the field of explosive ordnance disposal (EOD). Among these, only two hold advanced training certifications capable of managing large caliber munitions.
Lieutenant Munganga Dindu, from the 30th military engineering regiment, emphasized the importance of this training, stating, *“We were selected to come and take the course and help our nation… This training is crucial for us because there are a lot of events happening in our country.”*
The vast expanse of the DRC, plagued by landmines and improvised explosive devices from past conflicts, necessitates a pressing need for skilled professionals to ensure safety for both military and civilian populations. The lack of technical expertise within mine clearance units presents a substantial risk.
### **Specialized Training for Enhanced Safety**
This training program, in collaboration with MONUSCO, the UN’s peacekeeping mission in the DRC, is designed to furnish Congolese soldiers with the skills required for evaluating and neutralizing explosive devices. UNMAS representative Jean-Denis Larsen remarked that this collaboration is vital for addressing the pressing dangers posed by mines and explosive remnants of war.
International experts conduct the training, which encompasses both theoretical and practical modules, equipping participants with essential expertise in risk management related to explosive threats. Graduates will receive certification validating their competencies in managing and neutralizing explosives.
Looking ahead, UNMAS plans to continue these training efforts, aspiring to have numerous FARDC members fully capable of handling munitions and conducting operations against explosives by December 2025.
This initiative is part of a larger goal to gradually transition responsibilities from MONUSCO to national authorities. By enhancing the technical skills of the Congolese military and police, the program aims to ensure safer communities in regions profoundly affected by conflict and the subsequent proliferation of dangerous devices.
