The Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, Guy Kabombo, has called on the latest cohort of graduates from the College of Advanced Studies in Strategy and Defence (CHESD) to serve the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with unwavering dedication, especially in light of ongoing security challenges in the eastern regions.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 8th Special Session and the 10th Regular Session of CHESD, held on Tuesday, July 29 in Kinshasa, Kabombo addressed graduates from both CHESD and the 8th class of the Higher School of Military Administration (ESAM).
The Defence Minister urged them to transform the lessons they have learned into practical leadership, administrative rigor, and strategic excellence for the benefit of the nation.
“This session is the living embodiment of a shared commitment to building a strong army, capable of generating strategic defence thought to inform high-level decisions,” said Kabombo.
The CHESD Director General praised the 2025 graduates as the “new strategists of the nation,” thoroughly prepared and willing to serve the Republic.
Echoing this sentiment, the ESAM Commander encouraged the graduates to carry the flag of their institutions with both passion and pride.
Among the top honorees was Franck Malale Ngoy, who earned first place in the 8th Special Session of CHESD with the distinction of “Grande Distinction.” A senior advisor at the Ministry of Land Planning, Malale is a doctoral candidate specializing in spatial planning and land governance.
His final thesis, titled “What Role Can the Air Force Play in Strengthening the FARDC by 2030?”, examined strategies such as developing a national drone program, modernizing air defence systems, and integrating air power into the military planning law.
“This award is an honour, but more importantly, it is a responsibility to work even harder, alongside Minister of State Guy Loando Mboyo, to build a sovereign and resilient state,” Malale said. “CHESD helped deepen my vision of governance rooted in territorial control and threat anticipation.”
The sessions covered a wide range of strategic themes including army reform, territorial integrity, geopolitical challenges, and innovation within the Congolese armed forces.
The graduation ceremony was attended by several high-profile figures, including the Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces (FARDC), Jules Banza Muilambwe; the Vice-Prime Minister for Public Service, Jean-Pierre Lihau; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Thérèse Kayikwamba; and Minister of State for Land Planning, Guy Loando Mboyo.
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