AFC/M23 Leader Corneille Nangaa Considers DRC Presidency, Advocates Federalism

Goma, November 27, 2025 - Corneille Nangaa, leader of the AFC/M23 coalition fighting the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has indicated that he sees himself as a potential future president of the country. Speaking to SBS News, Nangaa acknowledged, “I am a Congolese and I have the right to be president, it can happen and I accept it as a responsibility.”

During the interview, Nangaa addressed accusations that M23 is supported by Rwanda, firmly denying them. “We don’t receive any support from Rwanda. We are Congolese and we are fighting for our cause,” he said, calling claims by the Kinshasa government “lies and smearing.”

Nangaa also dismissed allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity, stating, “I deny it, I denounce it, I say it’s a lie.” He claimed that in areas currently under M23 control, particularly Goma, “Life has returned, people are living, children have returned to school, there are no more insecurity issues, Goma is safe.”

At a seminar in Goma on November 27, Nangaa outlined AFC/M23’s vision for governance reform, advocating for federalism. Under this system, provinces would have independent administrations, manage their own resources, and share powers with the national government.

Nangaa proposed renaming the country to Republique Fédérale du Congo (RFC), emphasizing that “our vision as a coalition is that what is called DRC today should become the Republique Fédérale du Congo. That is the choice, that is the vision.”

He added that the coalition seeks equitable distribution of regional resources and aims to end what he describes as oppression from Kinshasa.

Nangaa has repeatedly criticized the current DRC governance under President Félix Tshisekedi, asserting that if AFC/M23 achieves its objectives, it will replace the president with a leader capable of restoring the country’s stability and international standing.

The statements signal Nangaa’s political ambitions, as well as AFC/M23’s broader strategy to transform the DRC’s governance structure through regional autonomy and federalism.