Goma, 15 January 2013 – A delegation of the Congolese Defense Ministry travelled to Goma, provincial capital of the Nord Kivu province, on 15 January 2013, to assess the security situation and take the necessary actions to address any related issues.

"Defending national integrity and protecting the population are the two core messages brought by the delegation during their visit to Nord Kivu," said Colonel Jean Daniel Batabombi, head of the delegation, during his address the Rapid Reaction Unit deployed in the region.

The visit coincided with the first military parade of this year, which was organized on Tuesday for the Rapid Reaction Unit at the Katindo camp in Goma. Tasked with ensuring troop's sensitization and confidence building within the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), Colonel Batabombi took the opportunity to boost the troops' morale after suffering a military rout, which enabled the M23 to occupy the city of Goma for a short period of time.

Denise Lukesso/ Radio Okapi/ MONUSCO