AFC/M23's political spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, told The New Times that the surrendered DRC soldiers were victims of President Félix Tshisekedi's regime.
'They are Congolese who were being used by Tshisekedi and his allies. They are civilians, they are Congolese, and they are victims of Tshisekedi and his government,' speaking from Bukavu, a city recently taken over by the group, Kanyuka stated.
He emphasized that M23 has no issue integrating them into their forces, as they are fellow Congolese who share the same goal of liberating the country from oppression. Before officially joining M23's ranks in North Kivu, these former government soldiers underwent training.
Kanyuka called on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) to assess the real situation in the DRC and understand why armed resistance emerged in the first place. He highlighted the ongoing massacres of Kinyarwanda-speaking Tutsi communities, which the Congolese government ignores.
'They need to come and see for themselves what is happening, how Tshisekedi is destroying this country, spreading hate speech, and leading a government riddled with corruption. How can he continue killing our people while the world watches and then expect us not to defend ourselves?' Kanyuka questioned.
'We are not fighting to attack the Congolese government. We are fighting to defend ourselves, our families, and civilians who are being slaughtered every day. The world should help us,' he added.
Kanyuka urged SADC and Burundian forces to withdraw from the DRC instead of reinforcing Tshisekedi's regime, which he accused of promoting ethnic-based ideology and persecution.
On February 13, 2025, ARC/M23 military leader Gen. Maj. Sultani Makenga visited the captured DRC soldiers, who agreed to fight alongside M23 to overthrow President Félix Tshisekedi's administration.
At that time, the soldiers were undergoing training at the Rumangabo military camp in Rutshuru Territory, North Kivu.
Makenga explained to them how Tshisekedi's government was looting the country, committing murders, abductions, and ethnic persecution. He assured them that ARC/M23 was committed to liberating the people, and the soldiers pledged to support their cause and defend Congolese civilians from government oppression.
Despite the DRC government's alliance with armed groups such as the FDLR, responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, as well as Wazalendo, foreign troops from Burundi, SADC, and mercenaries, M23 has continued to repel their advances and reclaim territory.
Some foreign mercenaries who surrendered to M23 were allowed safe passage back to their countries through Rwanda. Malawi recently announced plans to withdraw its troops from the DRC, and reports suggest that Burundian forces have also begun retreating.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/m23-integrates-surrendered-congolese-soldiers-into-its-ranks
