AFC/M23’s Nangaa Rejects Rwanda Links, Vows to Oust Tshisekedi

Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) and its armed wing M23, has denied claims that his movement is backed by Rwanda, insisting they neither receive nor need Kigali’s support.

In an interview with CNN’s Larry Madowo in eastern DRC, Nangaa said the group’s sole mission is to march to Kinshasa and remove President Félix Tshisekedi, whom he described as “illegitimate” and “a thief.”

Human Rights Watch recently accused M23 of killing more than 140 civilians near Virunga National Park, allegations Nangaa dismissed as “propaganda from Kinshasa.”

M23 has expanded its ranks with over 7,000 new fighters and vows to push beyond Goma and Bukavu to capture major cities including Lubumbashi, Mbandaka, and Kinshasa itself.