The request for authorization from the President of the Republic on sending the military contingent to the eastern region of DR Congo was approved unanimously, with 178 votes in favour, with no abstentions or votes against.
In his speech, the Minister of State and head of the Military House of the President of the Republic, Francisco Furtado, said that the mission has an expected period of one year, renewable if justified, and aims to secure the cantonment zones for the troops of the M23.
Francisco Furtado underlined that Angola and the RDCongo share an extensive border of 2,524 kilometers, as well as having a common culture, by blood, which is why "none of the countries can remain indifferent to the political, military, economic and social dynamics of the other".
"If we go back in time a little, we will see that, in 2016, Angola, with a greater incidence in the province of Lunda Norte, welcomed more than 30,000 Congolese refugees, as a result of its internal conflict, and we are reminded of the consequences caused, not only in life of the refugees, but also in the hospitable province, both in the human, economic and social fabric", he stressed.
Francisco Furtado highlighted that the projection of this force and the respective air resources will have an estimated budget of 11.2 billion kwanzas, through the reallocation of funds from the 2023 General State Budget, from the Defense and Security sector, of which About 43 percent of the planned amount has already been made available and being executed by the General Staff of the FAA, equivalent to the amount of 4.6 billion kwanzas.
According to the official, no combat risks were identified, "since the Angolan military contingent will not be involved in direct military operations", informing that its deployment will take place outside the current area of military operations in the east of the DRC.
Meanwhile, health risks were determined, with a medium degree, that is, the existence of respiratory diseases, malaria, dengue, Ebola and other tropical diseases, which can be minimized with measures to protect the herds.
The official considered that the sending of this military contingent, of only one battalion, "proves, once again, the capacity and development of the Angolan Armed Forces in the materialization of their training in adverse situations and different contexts, to carry out and participate in missions in support of peace and humanitarian aid, raising the country's flag high and raising its proficiency in all the armies of the continent and the world".
In response to the concerns of the deputies, the Minister of State and head of the President's Military House stressed that the Angolan contingent will simply be engaged in security and support for the activities of the DDRS (Disengagement, Demobilization and Social Reintegration) of the M23 soldiers.
Francisco Furtado highlighted that instability at any of the points close to our common border, causing only the exodus of one million Congolese refugees to Angolan territory, "will be a cause of instability for Angola".
The leader reassured the deputies concerned about the safety of the Angolan troops, saying that "although this is a peacekeeping mission, the FAA foresee possible risks for any eventual derailment of the process".
