Former Sankuru governor Joseph-Stéphane Mukumadi officially announced that he had joined the Congo River Alliance (AFC/M23) in a statement issued on Thursday. He thus claims to be involved in the movement he describes as a “revolution”, in opposition to Kinshasa’s power.
“I am a member of AFC,” said Joseph Mukumadi, saying that he wanted to “change with the movement’s coordinator on issues of concern to the Republic.” He believes that “all means are good for the people who are destroying the country” and calls on the Congolese to “retain themselves in this revolution”.
The former governor denounces what he describes as the hostage-taking of the nation by a political minority: “There is a political class today that thinks that it is only to decide on the millions of Congolese. He argues that the AFC movement now embodies “the dream hope” and calls for a broad rally “beyond the cleavages.”
Elected in 2019 in a controversial context, Joseph Mukumadi had his candidacy first invalidated on the grounds of an alleged French nationality, before being rehabilitated by the CENI. His election had been fiercely contested, notably by former Minister Lambert Mende, with reported violence in Lusambo, where one person had been killed.
In February 2025, his party, Action des democrats (AD), had withdrawn from the Sacred Union of the Nation (USN), the presidential coalition.
In his statement on Friday, Joseph Mukumadi also praised the role of AFC coordinator Corneille Nangaa, who was “those who brought together those who rejected the old system.”
According to him, supporters of the movement are present in several cities, including Kinshasa, and are waiting for “the final whistle”.
