Congo: Over 2000 police officers, soldiers surrender, defect to M23 rebel group

Information reaching Diaspora Digital Media has it that over 200 police officers and soldiers in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo, have defected to the M23 rebel group, also known as the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23).

This mass defection took place in front of the provincial police headquarters, drawing significant attention from the local population.

According to Jackson Nkamba, Senior Commissioner of the Congolese National Police (PNC), the defections were driven by the poor working conditions of security forces.

Nkamba emphasized that the police were trained with government funds but lacked necessary resources, leading to unprofessionalism.

The defectors will undergo further training in Rumangabo, North Kivu, under the AFC/M23’s supervision.

The M23 rebel group claims to aim to establish a more disciplined and effective police force in the areas under its control.

General Bernard Byamungu, head of operations for the Revolutionary Army of Congo, stated that the movement’s goal is to restore security by disarming civilians.

Lawrence Kanyuka, the M23’s spokesperson, framed the defections as a step towards a broader political vision, fighting against tribalism, exclusion, and poor governance.

This development has worsened the security situation in the region, with ongoing power struggles between armed groups and the central government fueling instability.

The Congolese army (FARDC) is urging deserters to return to their units, while fighting continues on the ground.

In related news, reports indicate that over 2,100 Congolese National Police officers and approximately 890 FARDC soldiers have voluntarily joined the M23 rebel group in Bukavu.

Additionally, the M23 has announced plans to reintegrate these forces, offering professional training designed to empower them to better serve the people of the DRC.

About the M23

The M23, also known as the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23), is a rebel group operating in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The group was formed in 2012 by former soldiers of the Congolese National Army (FARDC) who defected and launched a rebellion against the government.

The M23’s initial objective was to protest against the government’s failure to implement the March 23, 2009, peace agreement, which aimed to integrate former rebels into the national army.

The group’s leadership includes General Bertrand Bisimwa, who serves as the M23’s president, and General Sultani Makenga, who is the group’s military commander.

The M23 has been accused of numerous human rights abuses, including killings, rapes, and forced recruitment of child soldiers.

In 2013, the M23 was defeated by the FARDC, backed by United Nations peacekeepers, and its leaders fled to Uganda and Rwanda.

Despite the group’s defeat, some M23 leaders and fighters continued to operate in the region, and the group has since regrouped and launched new attacks.

The M23 has been linked to other rebel groups in the region, including the Rwandan-backed Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR).

The group’s activities have contributed to the ongoing instability and violence in eastern DRC, which has resulted in thousands of deaths and displacements.

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