In Bukavu, located in the Democratic Republic of Congo, over 200 police officers and soldiers have joined the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23), a rebel group operating in the eastern region of the country. The ceremony marking their defection was held in front of the provincial police headquarters, attracting significant attention from the local community.
Jackson Nkamba, Senior Commissioner of the Congolese National Police (PNC), explained the reasons behind this shift, citing the inadequate working conditions faced by security personnel.
“We were trained with funds from the Congolese government, and I am a Congolese citizen. If the government allocated the necessary resources, the police could operate professionally. We are being retrained to form a new type of police force—one that does not need to patrol on foot or enter the field without proper sustenance,” he remarked.
The defectors are set to receive additional training in Rumangabo, North Kivu, under the guidance of the AFC/M23. The movement asserts its goal is to create a more disciplined and effective police force in the territories it governs.
General Bernard Byamungu, who leads operations for the Revolutionary Army of Congo, reiterated the movement’s dedication to restoring security by disarming civilians.”All weapons must be removed from the populace to ensure they can live in peace. We will collaborate to guarantee security,” he affirmed.
Lawrence Kanyuka, spokesperson for the M23, characterized the recent defections as a move towards a more comprehensive political agenda.
“The police officers who are joining us are committed to collaborating in the effort to liberate the nation and combat tribalism, exclusion, and ineffective governance,” he stated.
As the M23 broadens its territorial influence, the Congolese army (FARDC) is calling on defectors to return to their ranks. Meanwhile, hostilities persist in the region.
In Lubero, confrontations between the FARDC and M23 have resulted in significant looting, exacerbating the security crisis in the area.
The large-scale defection of police and military personnel to the M23 highlights the profound divisions undermining the eastern DRC, where ongoing conflicts between armed factions and the central government continue to generate instability.
