The AFC/M23 movement on Sunday, February 8, officially reinforced its armed wing with the integration of 7,532 new commandos. ALSO READ: AFC/M23 movement gets over 7,000 new commandos 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. The event was presided over by the movement’s military leader, Maj Gen Sultani Makenga, and attended by the military commanders and senior officials of the rebel group. ALSO READ: Goma: One year on after AFC/M23 takeover 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. 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. Tshanzu, dimanche 8 février 2026 : À l’issue de la cérémonie de fin de formation, l’Armée Révolutionnaire Congolaise (ARC) a renforcé sa capacité opérationnelle avec l’intégration de 7 532 nouveaux commandos.https://t.co/VeV5nnbgwi pic.twitter.com/Ys4kVjnkwd — Lawrence KANYUKA (@LawrenceKanyuka) February 10, 2026 Addressing the recruits, General Makenga outlined the mission of AFC/M23 and its armed wing, Armée révolutionnaire 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. “Our country is led by ignorant people who are in Kinshasa,” Makenga said, “Who took the country hostage, who destroyed the country, who killed the citizens. The government kills its own citizens.” ALSO READ: Integration of AFC/M23 into DR Congo army to be discussed in Doha - US official He added that the movement emerged in response to systematic abuses against the population. “The Congolese have become refugees outside the country and others are displaced within the country,” he said. “This 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.” ALSO READ: We’re doing what Tshisekedi couldn’t do in 8 years: North Kivu governor “I have come to tell you that you have completed your training,” Makenga told the new commandos. “The training you followed is sufficient. From today, you are soldiers of the ARC, the liberation army.” He urged them to see themselves as protectors of the population, particularly displaced Congolese communities. “You 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,” he said. ALSO READ: Kinshasa made ethnic division 'a business opportunity', says governor Makenga also praised the fighters already deployed on various fronts, claiming battlefield successes against government forces and allied groups. “Your comrades are on different fronts and are doing great work,” he said. “The 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.” ALSO READ: AFC/M23 say they will not withdraw from Goma, Bukavu According to AFC/M23 officials, 2025 saw a surge in enlistments into the movement, a trend they say is expected to continue in 2026. 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.
