{"id":119499,"date":"2026-02-10T14:17:14","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T14:17:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/afc-m23-integrates-over-7500-new-soldiers"},"modified":"2026-02-10T15:31:50","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T15:31:50","slug":"afc-m23-integrates-over-7500-new-soldiers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/policy\/afc-m23-integrates-over-7500-new-soldiers","title":{"rendered":"AFC\/M23 Integrates Over 7500 New Soldiers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>The AFC\/M23 movement on Sunday, February 8, officially reinforced its armed wing with the integration of 7,532 new commandos.<\/p>\n

The graduation ceremony was held at the Tshanzu military training centre, Rutshuru Territory in North Kivu, where these soldiers concluded an intensive training cycle aimed at preparing recruits for battlefield operations.<\/p>\n

The graduation ceremony was held at the Tshanzu military training centre, Rutshuru Territory in North Kivu.<\/p>\n

The event was presided over by the movement\u2019s military leader, Maj Gen Sultani Makenga, and attended by the military commanders and senior officials of the rebel group.<\/p>\n

During the ceremony, the new commandos took an oath pledging to serve DR Congo, which AFC\/M23 says has been undermined by poor governance in Kinshasa.<\/p>\n

The new recruits performed tactical and physical demonstrations, including close-combat drills, martial arts techniques and endurance exercises, showcasing the operational readiness attained during training.<\/p>\n

Tshanzu, dimanche 8 fe\u0301vrier 2026:<\/p>\n

A\u0300 l\u2019issue de la ce\u0301re\u0301monie de fin de formation, l\u2019Arme\u0301e Re\u0301volutionnaire Congolaise (ARC) a renforce\u0301 sa capacite\u0301 ope\u0301rationnelle avec l\u2019inte\u0301gration de 7 532 nouveaux commandos.https:\/\/t.co\/VeV5nnbgwi pic.twitter.com\/Ys4kVjnkwd<\/p>\n

\u2014 Lawrence KANYUKA (@LawrenceKanyuka) February 10, 2026<\/p>\n

Addressing the recruits, General Makenga outlined the mission of AFC\/M23 and its armed wing, Arme\u0301e re\u0301volutionnaire congolaise (ARC), as a force seeking to restore national dignity and protect civilians. He criticised the current leadership in Kinshasa, accusing it of exclusion, discrimination and state failure.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur country is led by ignorant people who are in Kinshasa,\u201d Makenga said, \u201cWho took the country hostage, who destroyed the country, who killed the citizens. The government kills its own citizens.\u201d<\/p>\n

The new recruits performed tactical and physical demonstrations, including close-combat drills, martial arts techniques and endurance exercises, showcasing the operational readiness attained during training.<\/p>\n

He added that the movement emerged in response to systematic abuses against the population. \u201cThe Congolese have become refugees outside the country and others are displaced within the country,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis irresponsible government only does senseless things. They kill the population, discriminate against citizens and destroy everything that exists. That is why the movement rose with its army, the ARC, to stop all the evil they are doing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have come to tell you that you have completed your training,\u201d Makenga told the new commandos. \u201cThe training you followed is sufficient. From today, you are soldiers of the ARC, the liberation army.\u201d<\/p>\n

He urged them to see themselves as protectors of the population, particularly displaced Congolese communities. \u201cYou must help our population, your brothers and sisters, those who have been refugees abroad for years so that they can return and live in peace,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Makenga also praised the fighters already deployed on various fronts, claiming battlefield successes against government forces and allied groups. \u201cYour comrades are on different fronts and are doing great work,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe enemy brought several groups, the Burundian forces, the FDLR militia, mercenaries from different countries, bandits and drug users whom they armed and called Wazalendo. Everyone came, but the AFC crushed them. All they have left now is speech.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to AFC\/M23 officials, 2025 saw a surge in enlistments into the movement, a trend they say is expected to continue in 2026.<\/p>\n

The rebel group argues that the growing number of recruits reflects increasing frustration among Congolese citizens and positions the ARC as a force for political and social change in the country.<\/p>\n\r\n