The graduation ceremony took place on July 20, 2026, and was attended by the coalition’s top military officials, including the military commander and chief of staff of the AFC/M23, Major General Sultani Makenga.
Addressing the graduates, Maj. Gen. Makenga said the newly trained commandos would join AFC/M23 forces operating on the front lines.
He stated that their mission would be to protect civilians and contribute to restoring peace and security in areas affected by the conflict, enabling displaced residents to return to their homes and rebuild their livelihoods.
Maj. Gen. Makenga accused the Congolese government of working alongside Burundian troops, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), and the Wazalendo militia, alleging that the groups had been involved in attacks against civilians.
He said AFC/M23 was continuing its military campaign with the aim of ending what it described as violence against the civilian population.
He also urged the recruits to uphold discipline and maintain high standards of conduct, saying they should distinguish themselves from the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), which he accused of looting, committing sexual violence, and killing civilians.
“We must dedicate ourselves to our people, our country and our communities. If you do so, you will earn honor because you will be liberating your country, your brothers and sisters, and the Congolese people as a whole,” Maj. Gen. Makenga told the graduates.
He further said the coalition’s objective is to replace what it considers poor governance with better leadership, adding that achieving this goal would require discipline, integrity and respect for civilians.
AFC/M23 has continued to expand its ranks in recent years. In September 2025, the coalition announced the graduation of 7,437 commandos, followed by another 9,350 recruits in October of the same year.
According to the group, those recruits included former civilians, former members of the Congolese armed forces and fighters from the Wazalendo militia who joined the movement.
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