M23 names a new South Kivu governor

The M23 rebel group is part of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), which has appointed a new governor for South Kivu province in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. This comes little over two weeks after the group’s fighters captured the provincial capital, Bukavu.

On Friday, February 28, it was announced that Emmanuel Birato Rwihimba, the newly appointed governor, would be replaced by Juvenal Gishinge Gasinzira, the vice governor in charge of economic, financial, and development matters, and Dunia Masumbuko Bwenge, the vice governor in charge of political, administrative, and legal affairs.

The new governor succeeds Jean Jacques Purusi, who was chosen by Kinshasa and left Bukave before the city was taken over by the rebels on February 16.

The governor of South Kivu was appointed on February 5 after Joseph Bahati Musanga was appointed governor of North Kivu province, whose city, Goma, was taken by the AFC/M23 on January 27.

Additionally, the declaration was made the day after explosives at a demonstration in Bukavu, where AFC leader Corneille Nangaa met hundreds of locals, killed at least 13 people and injured 75 others. He accused government forces, who have been severely weakened since the beginning of 2025, of being responsible for the attack.

“This choice demonstrates our dedication to openness, sound governance, and bringing the people and administration closer together,” Kanyuka said in a statement.

“The AFC is committed to its goal of providing stability and advancement for the DRC’s citizens,” Kanyuka said on the alliance’s behalf.

Since November 2021, a government alliance has been engaged in combat with the M23 insurgents. Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi has maintained his stance that no talks will take place, even as the country loses large tracts of land and appeals for dialogue with the rebels increase.

The rebels claim to be fighting for the rights of persecuted Tutsi populations in Congo who have endured decades of discrimination from militias supported by Kinshasa, like the FDLR, which was established by those responsible for the 1994 Rwandan Genocide against the Tutsi.