He made the remarks on April 30, 2026, at the Kanombe training centre in Rutshuru Territory during the closing of the second phase of training for local administrative leaders operating in areas under AFC/M23 control.
Maj. Gen. Makenga said the DRC has long suffered from mismanagement, blaming successive governments in Kinshasa for what he described as governance failures, corruption, and divisions that have displaced communities.
“Our country has been destroyed for a long time by the government in Kinshasa and politicians who put their own interests first, driven by divisionism, and who have ruined our country. You fled because of these people in Kinshasa,” he said.
He added that the situation necessitates continued resistance, insisting that AFC/M23 will not withdraw from its objectives.
“The journey to liberate our country will not go backwards. As leaders of this movement, we assure you that we will not retreat; we will continue moving forward,” he said. “You, local leaders, should go and tell the population to remain calm, to farm, to raise livestock, to trade, and not to worry.”
Makenga also called on those collaborating with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) to abandon the group, saying they should instead reconcile and return to their communities.
“Those Interahamwe should go back home. Congolese should return home and work with others to build the country. They are brothers, they are your children, they are your companions. Go and tell them to come back. Those who want to join the army should be trained and integrated; those who want to return home should do so,” he said.
He further stated that President Félix Tshisekedi’s government relies on force rather than dialogue, saying AFC/M23 will continue its armed struggle until it achieves its stated objectives in the DRC.
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