Despite Ceasefire Calls, AFC/M23 Announces Reinforcement of 7,532 Fighters

February 10, 2026 - While diplomatic pressure mounts for a ceasefire in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the AFC/M23 rebellion has announced a significant reinforcement of its military forces, signaling continued tensions on the ground. In a statement released Tuesday, the movement confirmed the completion of a training cycle for new recruits within its armed wing, the Congolese Revolutionary Army (ARC). The ceremony reportedly took place in Tshanzu, where, according to the group, 7,532 commandos were officially integrated into its operational units. The figure, however, could not be independently verified. The AFC/M23, which has been accused by Kinshasa and several international partners of receiving support from Rwanda, said the newly trained fighters would be deployed on missions aimed at securing and defending strategic positions, controlling key axes and operational zones, and maintaining what it described as “tactical superiority.” The announcement comes at a time when diplomatic initiatives are intensifying. African leaders meeting in Luanda recently urged both the Congolese government and the AFC/M23 to commit to an immediate ceasefire, while the United Nations reiterated that MONUSCO stands ready to support its implementation. Simultaneously, representatives of the Congolese government and the armed group reaffirmed their commitment to the ceasefire framework agreement signed in November 2025 in Doha, during a session of the monitoring and verification mechanism held under the auspices of Qatar. The meeting brought together delegates from the African Union, the United States, and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region. Despite these diplomatic engagements, the armed movement maintained a firm tone. “If the Kinshasa regime wants peace, we are ready; if it chooses war, we are too,” the AFC/M23 declared in its communiqué. The latest development underscores the fragile nature of ongoing peace efforts, as military posturing continues alongside high-level diplomatic negotiations.