Enough Of Corrupt Regime! M23 Rebel Leader Sultani Makenga Finally Vows To Overthrow Tshisekedi Gov’t

By Our Reporter

The leader of the M23/ARC rebel movement, General Sultani Makenga, has vowed to topple what he called “the corrupt regime of President Félix Tshisekedi,” declaring that his group’s growing military capacity is aimed at “ending poor governance and restoring dignity to the Congolese people.”

Makenga made the remarks on Wednesday, October 1, during a graduation ceremony for more than 9,300 newly trained commandos in Tchanzu, a mountainous stronghold under rebel control in North Kivu Province.

The event went largely unnoticed until Saturday night, when the M23/ARC released a 13-minute video on its official YouTube channel, showing thousands of uniformed fighters in formation, chanting slogans, and performing parade drills under the supervision of senior commanders.

The footage quickly circulated on Congolese social media platforms, sparking concern among regional observers over the group’s expanding military strength despite ongoing international calls for restraint and peace.

“This is why the M23/ARC has risen — to put an end to this poor governance and bring change to our nation,” Makenga declared during his speech.
“Our ultimate aim is to develop the capacity to overthrow the corrupt regime of President Tshisekedi and build a country that respects the rights and aspirations of its people.”

He added that the newly graduated commandos form part of M23’s broader effort to “create a professional and disciplined force” capable of protecting civilians in eastern Congo — a region long plagued by insecurity and state neglect.

Regional & International Reactions

Makenga’s remarks come at a delicate moment for the Great Lakes region, where the United Nations, African Union, and international mediators including the United States, Qatar, and Togo have been pushing for de-escalation and renewed dialogue.

Earlier this week, the Joint Oversight Committee for the DRC-Rwanda Peace Agreement met in Washington, D.C., reaffirming its commitment to neutralize armed groups such as the M23 and the Forces Démocratiques de Libération du Rwanda (FDLR). The meeting endorsed the rollout of a Joint Security Coordination Mechanism to facilitate troop disengagement and restore calm in the volatile border region.

Kinshasa continues to accuse Rwanda of supporting the M23 — allegations Kigali denies, insisting its actions target the FDLR, a militia with remnants linked to perpetrators of the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

The M23, which re-emerged in late 2021 and captured vast areas of North Kivu between 2022 and 2023, has defied multiple ceasefire agreements despite sustained regional mediation. The group claims to be fighting for political inclusion of Congolese Tutsis and broader reforms in governance and security.

However, Makenga’s latest open call to overthrow the government marks a sharp escalation that could undermine fragile diplomatic efforts and reignite tensions in the east, where over seven million people remain displaced by the ongoing conflict.

Analysts warn that the renewed militant rhetoric may derail the peace process and further complicate efforts by regional forces to stabilize the area.