Colonel Nsabimana Mwengangabo Samuel, the AFC/M23 alliance’s Chief of Logistics, said that the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) are “finished,” adding that this is why he decided to leave the Congolese military.
Colonel Nsabimana, who was previously based in Nyabibwe in Kalehe Territory, said that while serving in the DRC military, he commanded a brigade but was imprisoned for seven years. He explained that after his release, his wife urged him to leave Kinshasa.
The officer said that he saw his relatives in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo living without peace after spending many years displaced by conflict. This prompted him to join the AFC/M23 fighters in Chanzu, Rutshuru Territory.
He said:
“As a FARDC commander, I was in charge of a brigade, yet my own relatives had no peace. I couldn’t speak out. When they were killed, I couldn’t say anything. When they suffered, I couldn’t speak. Even when they were forced to flee, I couldn’t speak.”
He continued:
“I decided to join my colleagues in Chanzu, where we received proper training. When you leave FARDC, you undergo training in M23. That is why we are united today, and families have gradually started returning home.”
Colonel Nsabimana further claimed that the DRC military had been weakened by numerous internal problems, arguing that AFC/M23 is a professional force capable of ensuring the country’s security.
He stated:
“It’s no longer FARDC—it’s FAR ‘décès’ (FAR ‘death’). FARDC is dead; it no longer exists. We train those we capture. Wazalendo fighters come, Nyatura come, Mai-Mai come—they are all welcome. We will receive them well, train them into a professional army, and together continue building our country.”
This translation reflects Colonel Nsabimana’s statements as reported and should not be understood as independently verified facts.
The mother of Colonel Nsabimana, who was among the residents who welcomed the fighter in Nyabibwe, said she was proud to have given birth to a soldier and thanked him for making the decision to join AFC/M23.
