Emmanuel Birato, who identifies as the governor of South Kivu under the self-declared administration of the Alliance Fleuve Congo/M23 (AFC/M23), has called on young people in Birava to enlist en masse into the group’s armed wing, the Armée Révolutionnaire du Congo (ARC).
The M23 have been consolidating their gains, telling citizens of the two provinces they control to live without fear and to fight for their rights.
Birato urged youth in the region to "answer the call of history" and join what he described as a liberation movement aimed at saving the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo).
He promised that Sultani Makenga, the military chief of staff of ARC and a long-time M23 commander, was ready to receive them with "open arms."
“Makenga is waiting for you. Do not hesitate. Come and take your place in the reconstruction of our country,” Birato said in the video.
The call comes amid heightened tensions in eastern DR Congo, where the M23 rebel group — widely believed to be supported by Rwanda despite official denials — continues to wage an offensive against government forces.
The AFC/M23 political wing has been attempting to present itself as a legitimate alternative to Kinshasa’s administration in parts of North and South Kivu.
The Congolese government has previously labelled AFC/M23 a terrorist organisation and condemned any attempts to establish parallel administrations in the eastern provinces.
Local and international observers have expressed concern that such mobilisation efforts, particularly involving youth, could escalate the conflict and lead to increased recruitment of child soldiers — a violation of international humanitarian law.
The United Nations and regional leaders have urged for renewed dialogue and a ceasefire, but the situation on the ground remains volatile.
Birato’s statement appears to double down on AFC/M23’s military ambitions, framing the ongoing war as a necessary means to "liberate" the country from what he termed "mismanagement and corruption" in Kinshasa.
There has been no official response yet from the Congolese army (FARDC) regarding the video or potential new mobilisation in South Kivu.
However, government officials have repeatedly warned that any collaboration with M23 or its affiliates constitutes treason.
Sultani Makenga, a former general in the Congolese army turned rebel leader, was a key figure during the original M23 rebellion in 2012–2013 and has resurfaced as the military leader of the group’s renewed insurgency since late 2021.
