Provisional report!
1) In Minembwe in the strikes of SOKHOI25 and the CH-4 drone:
-More than 30 elements of the TWIRWANEHO-RED TABARA-M23 coalition were neutralized.
-More than 50 elements were injured.
-The armament (weapons and ammunition) that were unloaded at the airfield were destroyed.
2)KAZIBA:
The procession of the M23 army heading towards Kaziba to bypass the Mitumba ranges, fell into an ambush.
Really there was a great loss on the enemy lines.
In a major geopolitical shift, a high-level U.S. military delegation recently met with DRC President Félix Tshisekedi, reinforcing military and economic ties between the United States and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This development has reportedly left Rwandan President Paul Kagame and his long-time allies deeply unsettled, as it threatens the illicit networks they have used to plunder Congo’s minerals for decades.
Strengthening U.S.-DRC Military Ties
The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) delegation, led by Ambassador Andrew Young and Rear Admiral Heidi Berg, met with top Congolese officials to discuss regional security and military cooperation. This visit is a significant step forward in strengthening the Congolese military and addressing security concerns, particularly in Eastern Congo, where Kagame's regime has been linked to armed rebel groups that destabilize the region.
The military cooperation focuses on:
✔ Strengthening the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) to counter rebel movements.
✔ Enhancing security and intelligence sharing between the U.S. and DRC.
✔ Promoting human rights and reducing foreign exploitation of DRC’s resources.
This has rattled Kigali, as Kagame’s survival has long depended on the chaos in Eastern Congo, which allows his network of elites and Western allies to exploit DRC’s vast mineral wealth unchecked.
The Fight for Congo’s Mineral Wealth
Beyond military cooperation, the U.S. has expressed interest in securing critical mineral partnerships with the DRC. The Congo is home to massive reserves cobalt, lithium, and other strategic minerals, which are vital for modern technology, electric vehicles, and defense industries.
✔ The U.S. is actively looking to reduce reliance on China and secure direct partnerships with the DRC.
✔ This threatens the long-standing mineral theft networks led by Kagame’s regime, which has illegally benefited from smuggled Congolese resources for years.
✔ With a potential new U.S.-DRC partnership, Kagame and his allies fear losing access to the billions they’ve made off Congo’s suffering.
A State Department spokesperson recently confirmed that the U.S. is open to fair and transparent mineral deals with the DRC, signaling a new era of economic diplomacy that excludes those who have profited from conflict-driven smuggling networks.
Why do Congolese think that This Gives Kagame Sleepless Nights
According to studies from Congolese political arenas give the following reasons for this belief:
Kagame’s entire regional influence has been built on:
Backing rebel groups like M23 to maintain instability in Eastern Congo.
Exploiting stolen Congolese minerals by funneling them through Rwanda as "legitimate exports."
Relying on Western support (particularly from past Democratic administrations) to shield him from accountability.
This new U.S.-DRC relationship under Tshisekedi’s leadership could break Kagame’s grip on Congo’s resources and expose his long-standing exploitation network. With Trump’s influence behind these negotiations, there is a real possibility that U.S. policy in the region could shift away from Kagame’s regime, disrupting his financial and military backing.
The Road to True Peace
While these developments are promising, true peace in the Great Lakes region remains impossible as long as:
Paul Kagame remains in power in Rwanda, continuing his destabilizing tactics.
The Hutu majority in Rwanda is sidelined, preventing true reconciliation and stability.
For Tshisekedi to secure lasting peace in Congo, he must push for regime change in Rwanda, ensuring a government that represents the majority Hutu population, which has historically maintained peaceful relations with its neighbors. Without a change in power in Kigali, Rwanda will continue to be the epicenter of regional instability.
A Defining Moment for the Region
With the U.S. military and economic interests shifting toward the DRC, the balance of power in the region is changing. Kagame and his allies no longer have a blank check to operate freely. If these new partnerships lead to tighter security, economic transparency, and a crackdown on illicit mineral smuggling, it could reshape the future of Central Africa—but only if Tshisekedi seizes this moment to push for real change.
The question remains: Will Tshisekedi take bold steps to secure Congo’s future, or will Kagame’s influence continue to sabotage peace?
The AFC/M23 political-military movement Friday, February 28, 2025, Manou Birato governor of South Kivu. An influential businessman and former political executive, he thus becomes a key figure in the administration set up by the rebellion.
A political journey marked by alliances and ruptures
Originally from Birava, Kabare territory, Manou Birato distinguished himself in the Congolese political landscape by evolving within several major formations. Former senior executive of the People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), he was a long-time supporter of the regime, hosting the party's major political meetings in his hotel in Bukavu.
When the Union for the Congolese Nation (UNC) was created, he joined Vital Kamerhe, current president of the National Assembly, before leaving in 2019 to go into exile in Belgium. His return to the country today coincides with his taking office under the authority of the AFC/M23.
An administration under the control of the rebellion
Alongside Manou Birato, a new administrative team is being set up:
Dunia Masumbuko Bwenge (from Bunyakiri, Kalehe territory) holds the position of vice-governor in charge of political and administrative matters.
Gashinge Gashingira Juvénal (from Munyamulenge, Fizi territory) becomes second vice-governor, in charge of economic, financial and development issues.
Meanwhile, the province's legal authorities, fleeing after the rebel advance, continue to administer South Kivu from Uvira.
Goma and Bukavu under tension
The AFC/M23 rebellion continues to establish itself in the east of the country. In Goma, it has already set up a parallel provincial administration, while the military government of the state of siege operates from Beni, following the flight of official authorities.
This appointment of Manou Birato marks a new stage in the rebellion's grip on South Kivu, accentuating security and political tensions in the region.
Manu Birato is appointed Governor of the South Kivu province
The #M23_ARC/ M23 afcongo appoints new administrative authorities to SudkivuGouv.
- Birato Rwihimba Emmanuel, governor (ex pprdofficiel )
- Dunia Masumbuko Bwenge, political, administrative and legal vice-governor
- Gishinge Gasinzira Juvénal, ecofin & devpt vice-governor
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has today, Thursday 27 February, summoned the Rwandan Ambassador in Stockholm.
The purpose of the summoning is to take a clear stance – like the EU and several other European countries – against the Rwandan Defence Force’s and the armed group M23’s continued offensive in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The offensive is a violation of international law and the territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Sweden and the EU have repeatedly urged Rwanda to stop supporting M23 and withdraw its troops. Sweden has also urged Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to resume regionally led peace talks.
Video above: AFC-M23 chiefs holding a brief meeting with press after the bomb attack!
An explosion rocked the city of Bukavu this Thursday, during a meeting organized by Corneille Nangaa, coordinator of the Congo River Alliance (AFC-M23). This attack, which occurred shortly after his speech, plunged the crowd into panic and caused several human losses.
According to the official report released by the AFC-M23, the attack left 11 dead and 65 wounded. The explosion occurred at Independence Square, in the city center, just after a speech by Corneille Nangaa.
At a press conference held after the attack, Corneille Nangaa accused Kinshasa of being behind this attack, which he describes as a maneuver aimed at silencing his movement. He also announced that the AFC-M23 would cover the funeral expenses and care for the wounded.
For his part, President Félix Tshisekedi strongly condemned the attack, denouncing a "barbaric and unacceptable" act. He pointed the finger at the Rwandan army and its allies in the AFC-M23, whom he accuses of being behind this deadly explosion.
Is Kinshasha or M23?
According to a source within the civilian population of BUKAVU who followed the scene well, they allege that it was M23 soldiers who threw grenades and fired bullets into the civilian population when the young people started a song demanding the departure of the Rwandan Army on Congolese soil.
For its part, M23 accuses Kinshasa of having "dropped these bombs" causing dozens of deaths and injuries.
The M23 announced that a rapid investigation into the bombs fired at residents attending a meeting with the leadership of the AFC/M23 Alliance revealed that it was an act of terrorism by the Congolese government, using weapons from the Burundian military.
The leadership of the AFC/M23 Alliance announced that a few minutes after the meeting with the residents of Bukavu, which was well-attended, began, bombs were fired into the crowd, killing some, believed to have been carried out by the Congolese government, who intended to assassinate the Coordinator of the Alliance, Corneille Nangaa.
This occurred on Thursday, February 27, 2025, when the AFC/M23 leadership was gathering residents for a meeting attended by many residents of the city of Bukavu, which was recently captured by M23 fighters.
During the meeting, AFC/M23 Political Spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka described the atmosphere at the meeting, where the people had gathered in large numbers and had set a morale that was also led by the Coordinator of the Forum, Corneille Nangaa.
A few hours later, M23 President Batrand Bisimwa announced that shortly after the meeting began, shots were fired with the aim of killing Coordinator Corneille Nangaa.
In his message, Bertrand Bisimwa, who accused Tshisekedi of these acts, called them “barbaric” and said: “The Tshisekedi regime has already implemented the violence that has been spread since yesterday on social media with the aim of harming the civilian population who attended the AFC/M23 meeting, which was scheduled to take place on the day of the meeting.”
He continued: “On Thursday, February 27, 2025, a few minutes after the start of this meeting, armed men with malicious intent fired grenades into the population, who had gathered at the meeting venue, causing many deaths and injuries.”
M23 President Bertrand Bisimwa said that they cannot tolerate these actions of the Kinshasa government, which refuses to lift its spear, continuing to fire bombs in various areas inhabited by the population, including densely populated areas.
Bertrand Bisimwa also announced that the initial investigation showed that these bombs were fired in a terrorist operation by the Congolese government, using weapons from the Burundian military, which is already partnering with the FARDC in the fight against M23.
Nañgaa in press conference revealed that 65 were injured,including six with serious injuries,11 dead including one woman and the perpetrator.He further said that M23 will help all those who lost their beloved one in burial arrangements and pay hospital bills to all those injured.
At least 12 people, including 8 elements of the Armed Forces of the DR Congo and 4 civilians, were killed in an ambush attack by armed men in Lubichako, south of the mining town of Misisi, in the Fizi territory, in South kivu, eastern DRC. Armed men ambushed two ambulances carrying those wounded on the front line. Civil society condemned the act and called on the government to provide more security in the area.
