Hundreds of Congolese Police Officers Join M23 Rebels

A wave of defections has shaken the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as hundreds of police officers have abandoned their posts and joined the M23 rebel group.

The move comes in the wake of M23’s recent capture of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, intensifying concerns over security and stability in the region.

Witnesses reported seeing the defecting officers, still wearing their blue police uniforms, singing and clapping as they gathered in Bukavu. The city fell under M23 control on February 16, 2025, following a swift takeover with little resistance from government forces.

According to Lawrence Kanyuka, spokesperson for the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23), around 1,800 police officers have surrendered and registered for military training under M23, with another 500 officers joining them the next day. These officers are expected to undergo retraining under the rebel group’s command, signaling a significant shift in the loyalty of security personnel in eastern Congo.

The M23 rebels have made rapid advances in recent months, strategically expanding their control over key areas. Just days before capturing Bukavu, they took over Kavumu Airport, about 30 kilometers north of the city, cutting off a vital transportation and supply route. The fall of Bukavu, a city of over one million residents, marks one of the most significant gains for the rebel group since their resurgence in 2022.

The conflict in eastern Congo has long been a source of regional tension, with the Congolese government accusing Rwanda of backing M23, an allegation that Kigali has repeatedly denied. The situation has raised fears of a wider conflict, drawing comparisons to past wars that devastated the region.

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President Félix Tshisekedi has responded to the crisis by announcing plans for a unity government, seeking to bring together political forces to tackle the growing security challenges. However, with government forces struggling to contain M23’s advances and police officers now defecting, the situation remains precarious.

The humanitarian impact is also severe. The United Nations has reported that ongoing fighting has displaced hundreds of thousands of people, worsening an already dire crisis in the region. Aid agencies warn that access to affected communities is becoming increasingly difficult as violence escalates.

With M23 strengthening its grip on key territories and gaining support from former government forces, the future of eastern Congo hangs in the balance. Calls for peace negotiations are growing, but as the rebels continue their territorial expansion, the road to stability remains uncertain.