The military leader of the AFC/M23 coalition fighting the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Major General Sultani Makenga, has delivered a strongly worded address accusing the country’s leadership of misrule and calling for what he described as the liberation of the nation.
Makenga made the remarks on February 8, 2026, while addressing 7,532 newly trained fighters of the AFC/M23 movement at the Tshanzu military training camp in Rutshuru Territory, located in North Kivu Province. The address came at the conclusion of a training program that the group says prepared the recruits for active deployment alongside other M23 fighters.
In his speech, Makenga sharply criticized authorities in Kinshasa, portraying the central government as responsible for years of instability, displacement, and the breakdown of state institutions. He told the assembled recruits that the armed struggle pursued by AFC/M23 was, in his words, a response to what he described as systemic failure in governance.
“Our country is led by incompetent people in Kinshasa who have taken the nation hostage, destroyed it, and caused the suffering of its people,” Makenga said, according to statements released by the group. He accused the state of violence against civilians and argued that millions of Congolese have been forced either into exile abroad or displacement within the country.
The remarks reflect long-standing narratives used by the M23 movement and its allies, who claim that their rebellion is rooted in demands for political reform, security, and the protection of civilian populations in eastern Congo. The Congolese government, for its part, has consistently rejected these claims, labeling M23 an illegal armed group responsible for serious human rights abuses and instability in the region.
Makenga told the newly trained fighters that taking up arms was, according to him, a means of stopping what he described as widespread injustice and restoring order. He framed their deployment as a continuation of a broader campaign, urging them to join fellow fighters already active on the front lines.
He further stated that one of the core missions of the movement was to enable the return of Congolese refugees and internally displaced persons. According to Makenga, millions of Congolese citizens currently live either outside the country or in displacement camps due to insecurity, particularly in the eastern provinces.
“You have a duty to fight for the return of our people, those living abroad and those displaced inside the country,” he told the recruits. He added that the movement’s vision included rebuilding the country around what he described as a professional army, respected citizens, and a state that commands dignity both domestically and internationally.
The commander urged the fighters to see themselves not only as combatants but as participants in what he characterized as a national rebuilding effort. He called on them to assist communities and support the return of families who have spent years away from their homes due to conflict.
The AFC/M23 coalition stated that the 7,532 recruits underwent commando-style military training similar to that provided to thousands of fighters who joined the movement in September and October 2025. According to the group, the training emphasized discipline, physical endurance, and combat readiness.
Among the skills highlighted by AFC/M23 was close-quarters combat, including techniques involving the use of body strength and physical engagement. The group said the training was intended to prepare fighters for the conditions they may encounter in active combat zones.
Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has experienced decades of armed conflict involving government forces, rebel groups, and foreign armed actors. North Kivu, where the Tshanzu camp is located, has been one of the epicenters of this prolonged insecurity, marked by repeated displacement of civilians and cycles of violence.
The resurgence of M23 activities in recent years has drawn regional and international attention. Several countries and organizations have called for dialogue, ceasefires, and regional cooperation to prevent further escalation. At the same time, the presence of armed groups continues to complicate humanitarian access and development efforts in affected areas.
Congolese authorities have repeatedly stated that the integration of armed groups into political or military structures without accountability undermines state sovereignty and peace efforts. Kinshasa maintains that lasting stability can only be achieved through the disarmament of rebel groups and the strengthening of national institutions.
Makenga’s speech comes at a time when diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions in eastern Congo face ongoing challenges. Regional mediation initiatives have produced intermittent ceasefires, but implementation has often been fragile, with accusations of violations from multiple sides.
Analysts note that public addresses such as this one are often intended to reinforce internal cohesion within armed movements, particularly as new recruits are introduced. By emphasizing themes of national liberation and return of displaced populations, leaders seek to motivate fighters and justify continued military engagement.
Humanitarian organizations continue to warn that renewed fighting risks worsening the already severe humanitarian situation in eastern Congo. Millions of people in North Kivu and neighboring provinces rely on aid, and any escalation threatens access to food, healthcare, and shelter.
International observers stress that the root causes of conflict in eastern Congo are complex, involving governance challenges, competition over resources, ethnic tensions, and regional dynamics. While armed groups frequently cite political grievances, civilians often bear the heaviest cost of ongoing violence.
The Congolese government has not issued an immediate public response to Makenga’s latest remarks. However, officials have previously rejected similar statements, reiterating their commitment to restoring state authority throughout the national territory and calling on armed groups to lay down their weapons.
As the newly trained fighters prepare to join existing M23 units, attention will remain focused on developments in North Kivu and the broader Great Lakes region. The coming weeks are likely to test the durability of regional peace initiatives and the ability of diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.
For civilians in conflict-affected areas, the priority remains security, access to basic services, and the prospect of returning home safely. Whether political dialogue or military confrontation will shape the next phase of eastern Congo’s future remains uncertain, as competing narratives and interests continue to collide.
0 Comments