Popular Rwandan actress Aliah Cool is overwhelmed with joy after reuniting with her brother, Colonel Kabaka, following 18 years of separation. The emotional reunion took place in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, where Aliah had traveled with her mother to surprise him.
Colonel Kabaka, also known by his family name Kagiraneza, is a member of the M23 rebel group, an armed movement operating in eastern DRC that has long been in conflict with the Congolese government
Writing on her social media platforms, Aliah Cool described the moment as profoundly emotional and deeply meaningful, highlighting the impact of the long-awaited family reconnection.
“It had been 18 years since we last saw him. He is my brother — the last time we met, I was a child, and now I am a mother. Yesterday, I surprised our mother, and when she turned around, she saw him. It happened in Goma, Congo. God is good. While he is known as Colonel Kabaka, we call him Kagiraneza at home,” she posted.
The story has garnered widespread attention online, with many social media users expressing warm messages of support and congratulating her on the reunion.
Colonel Kabaka’s affiliation with the M23 group adds a complex dimension to the narrative. The M23 is a rebel group operating in eastern DRC and has been engaged in longstanding tensions with the national government. Despite the sensitive political context, Aliah Cool’s story has resonated with many, underscoring the personal and human impact of regional conflict and separation.
The reunion serves as a reminder of the enduring strength of family bonds, even in the face of adversity and decades of distance.
Aliah Cool, known for her role in Rwasa and the former Kigali Boss Babes group, shared an emotional reunion with her brother, a soldier in the M23 rebel group, after 18 years apart. pic.twitter.com/HoNNHyKfMs
— KIGALI DAILY NEWS (@kigalidailynews) April 22, 2025
