Kenyan and Nepalese quick reaction forces successfully concluded a joint training exercise in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) conducted the October 2024 training, which was to improve the troops’ preparedness to respond swiftly and effectively to armed group threats in the region, in line with the mission’s mandate to protect civilians and promote stability.
The exercise involved intensive training for air insertion and reinforcement missions. It covered a wide range of operational skills, such as ground orientation, foot and vehicle patrolling, radio communication, map reading, and navigation. The forces also trained in tactical combat casualty care, close target reconnaissance, raids, ambushes and rappelling — skills essential for rapid tactical deployments.
Amid increased security patrols aimed at protecting civilians from hostile forces, the joint training enhanced the forces’ ability to coordinate and respond swiftly to emergencies.
Lt. Col. Simon Seda, commander of the Kenya Quick Reaction Force, emphasized the importance of the collaboration.
“This training strengthens our ability to rapidly deploy and execute missions in challenging environments,” he said. “The coordination between Kenyan and Nepalese forces enables us to respond seamlessly to any distress calls in our area of operation.”
This training session was part of a series of inter-contingent exercises under MONUSCO, aimed at countering the threat posed by armed groups in the eastern DRC.