MDF troops told to bring peace in DRC
The Malawi Defense Force (MDF) is to continue receiving support from Britain for training and deploying troops to peacekeeping missions following the forces good track record, discipline and dedication.
British High Commissioner Holly Tett said this on Thursday at Chikala Hills in Machinga during the closing of a pre-deployment training of 850 soldiers of the tenth Malawi Battalion (MalBatt 10) and sixth Force Intervention Battalion (FIB 6) training.
The two battalions will be deployed to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) soon to replace their colleagues who are winding up their one year peacekeeping mission.
Said Tett: “Their [MDF] performance in the protection of basic human rights for civilian Congolese has been outstanding; hence, I am optimistic that these new men and women in uniform will surpass their predecessors.
“Be dedicated to work in propagating peace in DRC for the Congolese to enjoy their birthrights.”
MDF’s deputy defense commander (responsible for operations and trainings) Lieutenant General Vinicent Nundwe warned the soldiers against being involved in malpractices such as sexual abuse and other vices that may tarnish the image of the country.
He warned that MDF will apply its ‘zero tolerance’ policy to any soldier caught infringing or abusing the Congolese citizens especially children, girls and women.
“Those caught will be repatriated and discipline measures will be taken,” he warned.
Speaking on behalf of the deployed soldiers Lieutenant Vitumbiko Mbale expressed optimism that they will carry duties in DRC productively.
“We have undergone intensive training that has prepared us for action,” she said.
The training was conducted by the United Kingdom (UK) and United States of America (USA) military instructors.
The deployment is the tenth since MDF started sending troops to peacekeeping missions in Ivory Coast then to DRC.
