In a major development in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the March 23 Movement (M23) has appointed new leadership for North Kivu Province, signalling a fresh political direction as the rebel group consolidates its recent military successes.
The announcement was made after a historic council decision earlier this week, where the M23 appointed Joseph Bahati Musanga as the Governor of North Kivu, with Willy Manzi Ngarambe and Shadrak Amani Bahati named Vice-Governors in charge of political, legal, and economic affairs, respectively.
The decision comes after a series of swift military actions by M23 forces, including their successful capture of Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu, which has long been a hotbed of political and military tensions.
Following their seizure of Goma, the M23 announced a unilateral ceasefire, signalling a shift in strategy from active conflict to consolidating their hold on the region.
The ceasefire marks a significant departure from the group’s previous stance, and their leaders have expressed a commitment to maintaining peace in the region while focusing on governance and territorial control.
In a press release, the M23 leadership emphasised that their immediate priority would be to strengthen administrative control over areas under their influence.
“The new leadership is tasked with managing the province’s resources, ensuring political stability, and working towards long-term development in North Kivu,” said Bertrand Bisimwa, president of M23, who signed off on the leadership changes.
The appointments were approved by Corneille Nangaa, the coordinator of the Alliance Fleuve Congo.
The group said that all previous provisions before Wednesday’s decision have been repealed.
“The Permanent Secretaries of AFC/M23 are tasked with implementing this decision, which takes effect on the date of its signature,” it added.
The recent appointment of new leaders has sparked mixed reactions from the local population and political observers.
While some view the moves as a necessary step for the M23 to present itself as a legitimate authority in North Kivu, others remain sceptical about the group’s intentions and its ability to bring lasting peace to the war-torn region.
The announcement of the ceasefire is also being watched closely by neighbouring countries and international observers, many of whom are eager to see if the M23 will honour their commitment to peace, or if the region will once again plunge into instability.
The focus on consolidating territorial gains in North Kivu signals a strategic shift for the M23, as they seek to solidify their control while navigating complex political and military dynamics.
As of now, Goma remains under the control of M23 forces, and the world watches to see how the new leadership will manage the province and whether they will continue to maintain the ceasefire in the coming weeks.
The situation in North Kivu remains fluid, with tensions still high as the M23 moves forward with its agenda of consolidation and governance.
