The M23 armed group, which seized significant parts of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in recent years, has launched a strategic road construction project connecting Nyabibwe in South Kivu to Sake in North Kivu.
This route will enable travellers from Bukavu to reach Goma without passing through Rwanda, ending a long-standing reliance on neighboring countries for transit between the two provinces.
Since its resurgence in 2021, M23 has established a parallel government in territories under its control, providing administrative services, security, and economic management.
This has included efforts to revive local commerce and infrastructure in a region long plagued by conflict, weak governance, and underdevelopment.
The new road is a critical element of M23’s broader agenda to improve connectivity, boost trade, and foster economic self-reliance.
For years, poor infrastructure and insecurity forced traders and residents to use longer, often risky detours through Rwanda to move goods and people between South and North Kivu.
By cutting a direct path through areas it controls, M23 hopes to stimulate local markets and reduce economic dependence on external actors.
“This is a game-changer for the region,” said a local source familiar with the project. “The road will not only reconnect Congolese provinces but also reinforce internal integration and development.”
The movement’s parallel administration has established local taxation systems, regulated mining activities, and sought to maintain security, positioning itself as more than just an armed faction.
M23 supporters emphasize a long-term vision for governance, encapsulated in the phrase: “And they will tell you that we are here to leave,” signaling their intent to remain and govern sustainably.
However, the group’s control remains contentious. The DRC government and international actors label M23 a rebel group, accusing it of human rights abuses and destabilizing the region.
Despite this, M23’s governance and economic initiatives complicate the conflict’s dynamics, as they appear to fill a vacuum left by weak state presence.
By investing in infrastructure and attempting to revive the local economy, M23 is advancing its claim as a de facto authority with state-like ambitions, seeking to legitimize its rule and reshape the future of eastern DR Congo.