During the 92nd meeting of the Council of Ministers held on Friday, June 12, 2026, at the City of the African Union in Kinshasa, President Félix Tshisekedi outlined the outcomes of his official visit to Egypt from June 10 to 11, 2026, at the invitation of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi.

The two heads of state assessed bilateral cooperation between their nations, rooted in a shared history of struggle for sovereignty, independence, and dignity of African peoples, as well as the continent’s assertion on the global stage.

The Congolese leader reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and African countries through cooperation focused on development and mutual interests.

“This visit resulted in the signing of several cooperation instruments in investment, political and diplomatic consultations, urban development, and health sectors. These agreements reflect the shared determination of both parties to direct their partnership toward tangible results for the benefit of their respective populations,” the government spokesperson reported during the council meeting.

Among the key decisions made during Tshisekedi’s discussions with Al-Sisi is the substantial enhancement of military cooperation between the two states. To operationalize this commitment, the President tasked the government with swiftly implementing a military training program for Congolese soldiers in Egypt.

The Head of State instructed the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, in coordination with the Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), to develop and submit a detailed execution plan for this initiative.

“In the defense sector, it was agreed to significantly strengthen military cooperation, particularly through the establishment of a training program for Congolese military personnel in Egypt. President Tshisekedi has directed the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, in coordination with the Chief of General Staff of the FARDC, to take the necessary steps for implementing this program and submit a detailed execution plan to him,” the presidential communication stated in the meeting’s report.

This new phase in DRC–Egypt military cooperation coincides with ongoing efforts by the Democratic Republic of the Congo to modernize its army and enhance the operational capabilities of its defense forces amid persistent security challenges in the eastern part of the country. These challenges stem from aggression attributed to Rwanda through the M23 rebel alliance, which controls vast areas of territory in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.