The commander of the Kenyan 5th Quick Reaction Force (KENQRF 5) deployed under the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) led a community engagement forum in Mantumbi on February 9, 2026, to address security concerns and reinforce the critical partnership between peacekeepers, the national army and the local population.
Held 25 kilometers north of the force’s Permanent Operating Base (POB) in Mavivi, the dialogue focused on the persistent threat posed by illegal armed groups in the region. Lieutenant Colonel Celestine Papa, the KENQRF commander, stressed that community collaboration is foundational to MONUSCO’s core mandate of civilian protection.
“I recognize and appreciate the continued collaboration with the local community which comes in handy in threat detection as well as in proactive and timely response,” Lt Col Papa told the assembled residents.
The sentiments were echoed by Major Cheguevara, Commander of the FARDC (Congolese army) battalion deployed in the area, who highlighted the shared responsibility and the symbiotic interplay in security provision.
“The military has a constitutional duty to protect the citizenry, but the citizenry also has a moral obligation to protect their soldiers by volunteering information that is of intelligence value,” he stated.
The local chief, Mr. Christophe Kapupa, facilitated the open discussion, welcoming the opportunity for a genuine exchange on security issues impacting community wellbeing. The initiative underscores the necessity of ground-level engagement for effective planning and intervention by both MONUSCO and FARDC forces.
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