The Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), which include the M23 rebel group, has announced the appointment of a new governor for South Kivu province in eastern DR Congo, just over two weeks after its fighters took control of the provincial capital Bukavu. The newly appointed governor of Emmanuel Birato Rwihimba, announced on Friday, February 28, will be deputized by Dunia Masumbuko Bwenge as vice governor in charge of political, administrative, and legal affairs, and Juvenal Gishinge Gasinzira as vice governor responsible for economic, financial, and development issues. ALSO READ: M23 are no terrorists, the Congolese army is: Bukavu residents The new governor replaces Kinshasa-appointed Jean Jacques Purusi, who fled Bukave before the city fell into the hands of the rebels on February 16. The appointment of the South Kivu governor follows February 5 appointment of Joseph Bahati Musanga as governor for North Kivu province, whose capital Goma was captured by the AFC/M23 on January 27. ALSO READ: M23 continues massive recruitment drive in Bukavu The announcement also came one day after explosives killed at least 13 people and injured 75 at a rally in Bukavu, where the AFC leader Corneille Nangaa, met thousands of local residents. He blamed the attack on government forces, who have suffered major losses since the start of 2025. This decision reflects our commitment to transparency, good governance, and bringing administration closer to the people,” Kanyuka said in a statement. The AFC remains resolute in its mission to ensure stability and progress for the people of the DRC, Kanyuka stated on behalf of the alliance. VIDEO: Persecution and cannibalism of Tutsi are 'commonplace' in Congo, says Rwandan minister The M23 rebels have been fighting a government coalition since November 2021. Despite losing swathes of territory and growing calls for talks with the rebels, Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi has remained adamant that negotiations will not take place. The rebels say they fight for the rights of persecuted Congolese Tutsi communities, who have suffered decades of abuses at the hands of Kinshasa-backed militias such as the FDLR, which was founded by perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
