A DR Congo army (FARDC) officer deployed to Goma under a joint ceasefire monitoring mechanism has been removed after using another officer’s identity to join the team, reports said. ALSO READ: DR Congo deploys ceasefire monitoring team to Goma as fighting continues Maj Freddy Lokuli Bofanda is one of three FARDC officers flown to Goma by the UN peacekeeping mission, MONUSCO, on July 12 to join the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus (EJVM+), which monitors implementation of a ceasefire between the Congolese government and AFC/M23. The other officers were Lt Col Cosmas Ben Epule and Maj Andre Kitoko Dimonekene. The mechanism also includes three AFC/M23 officers and is commanded by Zambian Brig Gen Charles Simuyuni Nakeempa, deputised by Angolan Col Arlindo Sebastião Vandunem Fernandes. ALSO READ: What we know as M23, DR Congo set up ceasefire monitoring team Reports said the FARDC General Staff submitted a list to the Executive Secretary of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) on June 30 naming Lt Col Epule, Maj DSEM Kalonji Kaba Toutou and Maj Kitoko as the Congolese representatives to the mechanism. However, a separate communication from the Ministry of Defence to MONUSCO requesting air transportation for the team replaced Maj Kalonji with Maj Lokuli. According to the reports, Maj Lokuli travelled to Goma using Maj Kalonji’s identity. The discrepancy was uncovered during registration at the EJVM+ secretariat when members’ identities were verified, leading to his removal from the mechanism. He reportedly left Goma for Beni by road on July 27. ALSO READ: AFC/M23, DR Congo sign ceasefire monitoring agreement According to information obtained by The New Times, the ceasefire mechanism was already in the initial stages of its work. On July 16, officiers from both Kinshasa and AFC/M23 met the mechanism’s commander in Goma, who briefed them on their mandate and underscored the need for professionalism, impartiality and fact-based verification of reported ceasefire violations. ALSO READ: AFC/M23, DR Congo sign ceasefire monitoring mandate in Doha The EJVM+ was established to monitor compliance with the ceasefire agreed in Doha, Qatar by the Congolese government and AFC/M23 in October 2025. Its responsibilities include investigating reported violations, verifying incidents on the ground and reporting its findings to support implementation of the truce. ALSO READ: What next after AFC/M23-Kinshasa talks in Switzerland? The mechanism operates under the framework of the ICGLR with logistical support from MONUSCO and includes observers from the African Union, the Qatar and the United States
