The DRC had the world's biggest military spend increase last year – and South Sudan was second

The DRC more than doubled its military expenditure in 2023. (Getty Images/Undefined)

• The DRC more than doubled its military expenditure last year, reaching about R15 billion.
• That was the biggest increase in military spending in the world.
• South Sudan increased its military budget by 70%, spending more than R20 billion, putting it second in terms of its increases.
• North African countries also remain big spenders when it comes to weapons and armies.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) last year recorded the biggest percentage jump in military spending worldwide as it prepared to tackle M23 rebels in the eastern part of the country.

According to the latest Trends in World Military Expenditure 2023 report, the DRC's spending "more than doubled (105%) to reach $794 million", or about R15 billion.

The report said the 2023 increase "coincided with growing tensions with Rwanda, a surge in clashes with non-state armed groups, and a government move to strengthen the DRC's armed forces after it demanded the early withdrawal of a large-scale United Nations peacekeeping mission in the country".

An estimated 200 militias are operating in the DRC, known as the "mai mai". 

There are also armed outfits, such as the Lord's Resistance Army, which launches attacks from the DRC into Uganda. 

Another one is the Red Tabara rebels moving to destabilise Burundi.

The DRC and the governments of Uganda and Burundi share operations to contain the rebels.

In North Kivu, the DRC forces are fighting alongside a SADC force under the command of South Africa. 

South Sudan came second in terms of percentage increase in military spending, with a 78% increase to more than a billion American dollars.

That increase was less than the 108% jump it saw in 2022.

The fast-growing spending was attributed to "escalating internal violence and the security challenges that have spilt over from the civil war in neighbouring Sudan".

A March 2024 report by the UN Mission in South Sudan (Unmiss) said intercommunal violence by community-based militias or civil defence groups accounted for 86% of all civilians affected by conflict.

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This year, the country is set to hold elections since a 2018 peace deal between President Salva Kiir Mayardit and his former rival, Riek Machar, ended a five-year conflict that claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.

Nigeria remained a Sub-Saharan big spender, with a 20% increase, also "against the backdrop of numerous ongoing security challenges."

In sub-Sahara Africa overall, countries increased military spending by 8.9% compared to 2022 – but 22% lower than in 2014.

North Africa

North African countries recorded a 38% jump in defence spending compared to 2022.

Algeria and Morocco dominate the sub-region's expenditure, accounting for 82% of the total spend.

The report said Algeria's capacity to buy arms was boosted by an increased interest in its gas reserves by European countries moving away from Russian purchases. 

Even though Morocco's expenditure decreased, it was still a huge sum.

"Algeria's military spending grew by 76% to reach US$18.3 billion. This was the highest level of expenditure ever recorded by Algeria and the largest annual increase in its spending since 1974. 

"The increase was facilitated by a sharp rise in revenue from gas exports to countries in Europe as they moved away from Russian supplies.

"In contrast, Morocco's military spending decreased for the second consecutive year. It fell by 2.5 percent in 2023, to $5.2 billion," the report said. 

Despite lagging behind the rest of the world in military spending, Africa saw a 22% increase last year compared to 2022.

Source: https://www.news24.com/news24/africa/news/the-drc-had-the-worlds-biggest-military-spend-increase-last-year-and-south-sudan-was-second-20240424