M23 Commander Sultani Makenga Vows to Oust Tshisekedi
The Commander of the AFC/M23 rebel alliance, Major General Sultani Makenga, has reaffirmed his movement’s goal of removing Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi from power, accusing his government of presiding over the destruction of the country.
Makenga made the remarks on October 1, 2025, while addressing 9,350 newly trained fighters who had completed military training at the Tchanzu military camp in Rutshuru Territory, North Kivu Province. “The Tshisekedi regime has destroyed our country. It kills our people because of their ethnicity, forcing others into exile,” Makenga declared.
“That is why the M23/ARC rose up — to remove this bad leadership and bring about real change in our country.” He urged the new recruits to join forces with those already on the front lines, saying: “Your comrades in the field have done a great job. When you start your mission, you must unite with them to achieve our goal of liberating the nation from this corrupt regime.
The Congolese people deserve freedom, and that is the mission of M23/ARC and the broader AFC alliance.” President Félix Tshisekedi, addressing youth in Kinshasa on October 4, vowed to reclaim territories captured by M23 and its allies — including Goma, Bukavu, Rutshuru, and Masisi — and rebuild them under state control.
“When your land is liberated, we will immediately begin reconstruction — roads, schools, health centers — and restore electricity and digital services,” Tshisekedi told residents of the conflict zones.
Both sides have maintained hardline positions despite the Qatar peace initiative, signed on July 29, which aims to promote dialogue and a sustainable resolution to the eastern Congo conflict.
