10 years of CHESD: 1,692 officials trained in strategy and defense in DRC

The Democratic Republic of Congo's College of Higher Studies in Strategy and Defense (CHESD) marked a decade of existence on Thursday, August 20th, in Kinshasa. The occasion coincided with the closing of the 2025-2026 academic year and the opening of the 2026-2027 session. The ceremony, held at the Palais du Peuple, was attended by President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, his Burundian counterpart Évariste Ndayishimiye, and representatives from the Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic.

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CHESD does not only constitute a training institution. It must also contribute to the development of a national capacity for analysis, anticipation, and strategic decision-making.

Since its founding, CHESD, in conjunction with the Higher School of Military Administration (ESAM), has trained 1,692 civil and military officials. President Tshisekedi highlighted the institution's crucial role in preparing leaders for strategic, defense, and security roles. He emphasized that CHESD should foster national capacity for analysis, anticipation, and strategic decision-making, extending beyond mere training.

During the 10th-anniversary celebration, President Tshisekedi unveiled a new 'global defense doctrine' for the DRC. This doctrine prioritizes five key areas: asserting sovereign strategic thought, enhancing intelligence and anticipation capabilities, ensuring digital and informational sovereignty, promoting African solutions to regional crises, and upholding republican ethics. Tshisekedi stressed the nation's need to independently develop its strategic thinking and define its security interests.

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The affirmation of a sovereign strategic thought, the strengthening of watch and anticipation capabilities, digital and informational sovereignty, the promotion of African responses to regional crises, and respect for republican ethics.

Addressing the security situation in eastern DRC, Tshisekedi reaffirmed the country's commitment to lasting peace while rejecting externally imposed solutions through violence. He also advocated for strengthening defense capabilities as compatible with peace efforts. This focus comes as the DRC prepares to serve as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2026-2027 term. The president urged graduates to prioritize the general interest, anticipate crises, and exercise discernment in their decision-making.

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The president of the Republic insisted on the need for the DRC to develop its own capacity for strategic reflection and to define its security and defense interests autonomously.