The Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), a coalition that includes the M23 rebel group fighting against the Kinshasa government, announced on Friday, May 9, 2025, that it had welcomed a group of Congolese nationals from the diaspora to Goma. These individuals have joined the group in its campaign to overthrow President Félix Tshisekedi’s regime.
The group consists of about 20 people, including nine women, coming from various countries in Europe, America, and Africa. They are committed to undergoing both military and political training in order to participate fully in the movement’s activities, according to AFC leadership.
The new recruits were officially received by key leaders of the movement, including Corneille Nangaa (AFC political coordinator), Bertrand Bisimwa, and Freddy Kaniki, prominent figures within the M23 leadership.
This arrival follows a previous wave of similar recruits, who also expressed the desire to join AFC-M23 and are actively encouraging more Congolese in the diaspora to get involved in efforts to change the country’s leadership, politics, and security structure.
Organizers say the new members came from countries such as Belgium, France, Italy, Canada, the United States, and Tanzania.
AFC-M23 stated that this initiative aims to “unite the strength of all Congolese who want to build a peaceful, secure, and newly governed nation,” especially amid ongoing insecurity in eastern DRC.
However, this move to recruit from the diaspora for military purposes has stirred major controversy both inside the country and internationally, as it risks escalating the already long-standing conflict in the region.
This comes at a time when several nations, including the U.S., are working toward peace in eastern Congo through diplomatic efforts. Both the DRC and Rwanda are expected to sign peace agreements in Washington, USA, and Doha, Qatar.
