Operation Echo-Charlie

A Spanish military contingent travelled to the Democratic Republic of Congo on 14 July 2006 and was ready to launch Operation Echo-Charlie by the end of the month.

The Spanish contingent was attached to the European Union Force supporting the United Nations stabilisation mission to DR Congo (MONUC) during the legislative and presidential elections. The first vote was held on 30 July. The second round of the presidential elections, between president Joseph Kabila and former rebel leader Jean Pierre Bemba, took place on 29 October.

The force was composed of a total of 130 members: 90 came from the 7th Legion Regiment “Don Juan de Austria” and made up a rapid reaction Infantry Company; 30 performed logistic support tasks; and the remaining 10 were officers and NCOs posted either to the operation headquarters in Potsdam, Germany, or to the Force itself, located in the Congolese capital, Kinshasa.

The arrival of the contingent coincided with the withdrawal of the detachment which had been in Kinshasa since 1 July engaged in pre-deployment activities.

The contingent, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Ruiz Benítez, was charged with supporting the UN mission to guarantee free, credible and transparent elections. That was a crucial part of the process to ensure peace, stability and democratic normalisation in DR Congo.

In order to attain that goal, the United Nations authorised the forces that made up EUFOR RD Congo to use their resources and capabilities to guarantee security and freedom of movement to MONUC members. In addition, they were entrusted with protecting the civilian population and Kinshasa airport in the event of imminent danger.

As well as the forces deployed in Kinshasa, the military operation could call upon some 1,200 German, French and Police troops on alert in neighbouring Gabon and a strategic reserve stationed in Europe.

The whole contingent was back in Spain by 14 December 2006 and the mission was terminated on 30 December.