GOMA, DRC – Corneille Nangaa, the coordinator of the Alliance Fleuve Congo – Mouvement du 23 Mars (AFC/M23), concluded a political and technical training session this weekend for the movement’s political, administrative, and territorial cadres in the so-called “liberated” zones of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The stated objective of the two-day session was to strengthen the capacities of local officials to lay the groundwork for a new, more effective Congolese state that is closer to its citizens.
Structuring Governance in Held Territories
The training brought together a cross-section of the movement’s leadership, including political and military coordinators, territory administrators, city chiefs, as well as officials responsible for education and the economy in areas under AFC/M23 control.
In his closing address, Nangaa praised the progress made so far, stating, “We can be proud of having succeeded in building a professional army, a police force in the service of the community, a stabilized administration, and a justice system in the process of being reactivated. The pillars of the state are gradually falling into place for a new governance of the Democratic Republic.”
He framed the initiative as a critical step towards establishing functional institutions, with enhanced skills in public management, security, administrative organization, and youth guidance.
A Scathing Diagnosis of the Kinshasa Government
Striking a critical tone, Nangaa delivered a severe assessment of the institutional situation in the national capital, Kinshasa, which he deemed “non-existent.”
“In Kinshasa, there is no longer a state, no army, no police, no administration, no justice. Even the presidency exists only as a facade,” he asserted, accusing the current authorities of being responsible for bad governance and the embezzlement of public resources.
This systemic failure, according to Nangaa, justifies the movement’s efforts to initiate a deep institutional rebuilding on new foundations.
Vision, Discipline, and Transparency as Core Principles
The AFC/M23 leader emphasized three pillars he considers indispensable for rebuilding the state: vision, discipline, and accountability, to which he added transparency. He reminded the cadres that the management of public resources must be done “in the name of the population,” and urged them to consider themselves “servants” rather than rulers.
Nangaa also called on participants to disseminate the skills they acquired to grassroots activists and local structures, aiming to broaden the movement’s social base and anchor its principles in local governance.
Defining a “National Reform Project”
Moving beyond a purely military dimension, Corneille Nangaa defined the AFC/M23 as “a project of national reform” aimed at reconstructing the Congolese state.
“Our struggle aims to liberate the country from a criminal and corrupt system, to establish a state of law, social justice, good governance, and national reconciliation,” he declared.
He stressed that the armed struggle only makes sense if accompanied by responsible management and a clear political vision.
Concluding the session, Nangaa called for unity and loyalty, which he described as “non-negotiable,” and warned against individualistic tendencies. He urged participants to translate their training into “visible results” in mobilization, security, justice, and social services.
“The total liberation of Congo is underway. Our victory is certain, for our cause is just. Together, we will build a dignified and prosperous state,” he concluded.
Presented not as an end or a beginning, this session is seen as a further step in the movement’s strategy to train an elite capable of managing territories and participating in the construction of a new state. With this initiative, the AFC/M23 is seeking to transform its military influence into a structured political and administrative force in a context where national institutions remain fragile and contested in the eastern DRC.
