Overview:
M23 says its objective is to fight corruption, xenophobia, and discrimination within the DRC’s political leadership. Earlier in 2025, the group launched a rapid offensive across eastern Congo, capturing several key towns and heightening fears of a broader regional conflict.
The March 23 Movement/Alliance Fleuve Congo (M23/AFC) rebels have passed out 7,532 fighters after completing training, a development that signals the insurgency against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government may not be ending soon. Our reporter has learned that the fighters were passed out over the weekend in the forests of Tchanzu, Rutshuru Territory, following several months of training.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Willy Ngoma, the M23/AFC military spokesperson, those who completed the training include commandos to be deployed on missions to secure strategic positions, control key axes, and maintain tactical superiority. While presiding over the pass-out, Major General Sultani Emmanuel Makenga, the military coordinator and Chief of Staff of the M23/AFC rebels, urged the fighters to remain disciplined and focused on protecting civilians and their property in areas under the group’s control.
Makenga also called on the recruits to distinguish themselves from the government army and its allied coalition under the Wazalendo militia, whom he accused of killing and looting civilians.
The DRC government army had not yet issued a statement reacting to the pass-out ceremony by press time. The development comes at a time when peace talks between the warring parties are ongoing in Doha, Qatar, and as the United States and other international stakeholders, including the United Nations, continue to call on M23/AFC rebels to withdraw from captured territories.
In September 2025, the group also passed out 7,437 fighters from its training wing in Rumangabo, Rutshuru Territory — a move that similarly raised concerns about the sustainability of the rebellion. M23/AFC rebels and the DRC government army have repeatedly traded accusations over ceasefire violations.
Since its resurgence in 2022 under leaders Bertrand Bisimwa and Emmanuel Sultani Makenga, the Congolese government has consistently accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels — claims denied by both Kigali and the rebel group.
M23 says its objective is to fight corruption, xenophobia, and discrimination within the DRC’s political leadership. Earlier in 2025, the group launched a rapid offensive across eastern Congo, capturing several key towns and heightening fears of a broader regional conflict.
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