The Alliance Fleuve du Congo (AFC) and M23 Rebel-coalition’s influence in eastern DR Congo has continued to grow with local militia groups and other important individuals opting to join in the rebels’ mission.
Two of the most influential militia groups in eastern DRC, the Front Commun de la Résistance (FCR), a platform composed of the armed groups FPP-AP of Kabido and NDC-R/M of Mapenzi, have pledged their allegiance to the AFC/M23 rebels.
The FCR groups had fighting against the AFC/23 rebels before they were recently angered by the Tshisekedi regime and chose to form arms with the rebels.
On Friday, Tshisekedi’s regime had directed the FCR groups to block the road through which the AFC/M23 rebels were to use heading to the village of Bunyatenge but shocked the government by allowing and helping the rebels to take control of the town in Lubero territory.
In a statement released on Sunday, the FCR groups’ spokesperson Augustin Darwin justifies the groups’ decision due to the Congolese military’s illegal activities and lack of support from government.
He mentions that the Congolese Military have transformed themselves into mineral traders, the unexplained withdrawal of the military from the front, committing acts of pillage, rape and harassment of populations as they pass through entities.
