The M23 rebel group has announced plans to investigate alleged illegal sales of state-owned properties in Bukavu, South Kivu, accusing the Kinshasa government of massive misappropriation of public assets.
"According to this report, the Kinshasa regime conducted the illegal sale of all state-owned assets in Bukavu," said M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka.
He revealed that the group received the report from the Inspector General of Governance (IGG) during a plenary session on Wednesday, December 3, 2025.
The report detailed that 102 houses were registered with unjustified titles, 20 houses had been demolished based on fraudulent documents, and 138 public buildings were involved in irregular transactions.
"These properties were unlawfully sold or resold using fraudulent documents, in violation of property regulations," Kanyuka said.
In response, M23 announced the creation of a special commission tasked with verifying all public-private partnerships, assessing their legality, and taking legal action in disputed cases.
The group will also adopt immediate precautionary measures to halt unlawful constructions and protect affected public assets.
Political Coordinator Corneille Nangaa, who chaired the plenary session in Goma, emphasised the need to fight corruption and ensure responsible management of public property.
"This aligns with the transformative mission carried by AFC/M23," Nangaa said.
A public awareness programme will be conducted by the group’s Permanent Secretariat to educate citizens on these measures.
M23 captured Goma in 2021 and has since established a parallel administration in the city, including fully functioning administrative, security, and economic systems.
The rebel-run economy generates significant revenue, reportedly exceeding $1 billion per month, largely through taxes on the mineral trade.
Spokesperson Kanyuka defended the group’s intervention in South Kivu, noting that the investigation into Bukavu is part of M23’s broader mandate to ensure accountability and prevent further exploitation of public resources.
"We are committed to protecting the interests of communities under our control while exposing mismanagement by the Kinshasa regime," he said.
The announcement signals M23’s growing administrative reach beyond North Kivu into neighboring provinces, highlighting the rebels’ capacity to operate as a parallel governance structure while continuing their economic activities in eastern Congo.