Understanding the Force Intervention BrigadeMONUSCO’s announcement yesterday that the mission intends to use its newly-established Force Intervention Brigade to create a ‘Security Zone’ around Goma will set the stage for the brigade’s first operational deployment. While still coming up to full strength over at least the next month, creating the security zone will likely be the first opportunity for the brigade to make use of their expanded mandate to engage and disarm armed groups in the Eastern DRC.

Costing around $140 million, and composed of 3,069 troops from South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi, the Force Intervention Brigade brings special forces, reconnaissance and artillery capabilities in addition to three battalions of infantry, all under the command of Tanzanian Brigadier General James Mwakilobwa.

To explain the FIB in more detail, we’ve made an infographic. We hope it’s useful.