The Alliance warned that the Fluve Congo (AFC/M23) rebellion in the Congo (AFC/M23) would “eliminate the threat of its source” if the Kinshasa regime continues to attack or provoke Warakale’s civilians.
On Thursday, April 3rd, rebel spokesman Lawrence Cannuca said in X:
“If the Kinshasa regime’s military continues to provoke or attack civilians and our positions in the liberated region, this well-intentioned gesture will automatically be cancelled and eliminate the threat of that source.”
Also Read: Congo Crisis Doctor: M23 Rebels Grab Warakel, the base of Genocidal militia – Report
The rebels seized Walkeh on March 19, but decided to withdraw from the town to enforce the unilateral ceasefire that was later declared on February 22. According to rebels, the ceasefire was intended to promote dialogue and support Dr. Congo’s peace initiative aimed at addressing the root causes of conflict.
Also Read: Congo Crisis Doctor: M23 Rebels Get Out of Warikare
Also Read: Rwanda welcomes de-escalation efforts in eastern Congo
In a statement on March 24, Cannuca emphasized that the continued presence of the Congolese forces has created a major obstacle to the ceasefire and compromised on continued peace efforts.
Rebels continue to grow in strength and influence despite Western sanctions on their leaders.
On Thursday, former Sankol governor Joseph Stephen Mukhmadi urged him to join the rebellion and follow the lawsuit to “end the dictatorship of the Kinshasa regime and allow the full release of our country.”
Also Read: AFC/M23 Gathers Congolese Diaspora to Participate in the Struggle
Mukhmadi joined the rebellion days after Dr. Congo’s December 2023 presidential candidate, Rex Kazadi, was registered with AFC/M23 from Europe on March 30th.
The former governor denounced what he said was being held hostage by political minorities, adding, “Today there is a political class that holds the nation hostage, and that alone will ultimately determine the problems of millions of Congolese people.”
Last week, rebels allowed South African-led South African Development Community (SADC) troops to leave Eastern Dr. Congo with weapons and equipment. South African forces surrendered after the rebels captured Goma, the capital of Dr. Congo’s North Kivu province in January, were part of the Congolese Army Union.
Also Read: Congo Crisis Dr. M23 agrees to promote the withdrawal of SADC troops
Over the past few months, Alliance Fleuve Congo has seen its numbers increase with the participation of several other Congolese armed groups and opposition politicians. In February, Twirwaneho, an armed self-defense group fighting to protect Banyamrange communities in South Kivu, announced that it had joined the ranks with AFC/M23 to fight the Congolese government. This came shortly after the death of Michel Lukunda, the leader of Twillwanejo, who was killed in a drone attack carried out by the Congolese army.
Also Read: Unarmed Banyamulenge civilians are “still awakening under a bomb explosion”
The alliance, led by Nanga, former chairman of the Congolese National Election Commission, is fighting for governance that supports basic human rights, secures all Congolese citizens and addresses the underlying causes of conflict.
Also Read: Kabila: Dr. Congo needs to stop the responsible game and solve the problem
The rebellion vowed to uproot the ideology of tribalism, nepotism, corruption and genocide that was spread by the Congo-backed Rwandan mass militia, Dr. FDLR. FDLR is a Congo-backed terrorist militia doctor and a terrorist militia doctor founded in the mid-2000 by the mastermind of the 1994 genocide mastermind against Rwanda’s Tutchi.
Also Read: M23 is not a terrorist, Congolese military – say it is a resident of Bukabu
Fully integrated into the Congolese Army Union, Genocidal militia joined forces with Kinshasa allies in a plan to attack Rwanda. The militia’s genocide ideology is the biggest threat to Rwanda and to the region as a whole.
In a video message posted to X on March 30, Nanga told the Congolese diaspora that “our revolution is not selective.”
Also Read: Who is Dr. Congo’s M23 Rebels?
He added: “We are to ensure that, according to your area of expertise, our nation can address all the challenges of the new era. Respected nations, reconciled people, and dignified nations, and our revolution is to continue our merciless march for more justice, more freedom, and the prosperity of all Congo.
Since January, the Congolese forces have suffered major losses in the war against the AFC/M23 rebels. The Congolese Army Union consisted of hundreds of European mercenaries, FDLR, Congolese national militia known as Wazalendo, Burundian forces, South Africa-led SADC forces, and UN peacekeeping forces.
Also Read: Why Genocide Ideology Will Not Resolve in 30 Years of Dispersion of Genocide
Following the fierce battle caused by the constant violation of the previous set ceasefire by the Congolese Army (FARDC) on January 27th, the rebels captured Goma and quickly secured and stabilized the situation, restoring order there.
Hundreds of Congolese soldiers surrendered and later joined the rebels.
Also Read: Over 2,100 police officers, 890 Congolese soldiers join M23 in Bukabu
As the security situation in the Southern Kivu worsened amid reports of violence, looting and abuse bred by a coalition of Congolese forces, the rebels responded once again, moving south on February 15 to capture the regional capital Bukabu.
On March 19, they seized the town of Walikal, about 130 kilometres of northwest Goma. This was the farthest west that rebels reached during this year’s rapid advance.
Also Read: M23 wants to give a lecture, but not in “toxic environments”
Also Read: M23 Rebels say delay in Congolese stance will withdraw from Warikal
Walikel has been a FDLR base for many years.
The battle between the Congolese Army Union and the M23 rebels resumed in 2021.
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The M23 was created on May 6, 2012, due to numerous failures by the Congolese government, including Kinshasa’s refusal to implement the peace agreement signed on March 23, 2009.
In January 2009, the Congrès National Pour Ladé Fense Du People (CNDP), formed by the original political and military group about three years ago, stopped the rebellion after Kinshasa had promised, among other things, to integrate fighter jets into the national army.
The government’s top officials, including then-Defense Minister Charles Mwand Simba, who died in Belgium in December 2016, attended a ceremony held in the Lumangabo Army camp, about 45 kilometres north of Goma, the capital of the North Kivu province, and welcomed the first group of rebel fighters into the national army. A few days later, CNDP officials announced that it was “a de facto transformation of CNDP into political parties,” a government-recognized after fighter jets were integrated into the national military.
But about 11 months after denounced the rebellion and became a political party, everything returned to zero. The frustrated chief, Desire Kamanji, a political party that had been turned into a rebel group at the time, resigned.
“The fundamental reason is especially delays in implementing the agreements that have been signed with the government since January,” Kamantsi announced, explaining, “there is a normal National Oversight Committee meeting, which was in vain.”
Today, the M23 is the Alliance Fleuve Congo, part of a large, growing rebellion coalition created in December 2023. A vast coalition of Congolese forces supported by Western countries, including Belgium and Western countries, including Rwandan Genocide Militia and Burundian forces, exacerbated the security situation for Eastern Dr. Congo.
