AFC/M23 Announces Plans to Establish Telecommunications Company in Areas Under Its

Masisi, February 16, 2026 - The AFC/M23 coalition, which is fighting against the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has announced plans to establish a telecommunications company in territories under its control, aiming to restore communication services for local populations. The announcement was made on February 16, 2026, by Bahati Musanga Erasto, the governor of North Kivu appointed by AFC/M23, during a visit to residents in the town center of Kitshanga, located in Masisi Territory. Accusations Against Kinshasa Addressing residents, Governor Bahati accused the government in Kinshasa of deliberately cutting off telecommunications services in areas controlled by the coalition, alleging that the move was intended to harm civilians living in those areas. “It is the government of Kinshasa that interrupted the transmission. We are working to ensure this does not happen again. We are putting in place an alternative transmission system; no one will interrupt it because it belongs to us. It will reach Goma, Kitshanga, and everywhere else. No one will touch these antennas again to disrupt transmission,” he said. According to Bahati, only the cities of Goma and Bukavu currently have functioning telephone services, while other localities remain cut off, depriving residents of access to modern communication technologies. Uncertainty Surrounding the Project Details about how the project will be implemented remain unclear. It is not known whether AFC/M23 intends to launch a new telecommunications company or partner with an existing operator already active in other countries. The announcement comes amid ongoing tensions in eastern DRC, where control over territory, public services, and strategic infrastructure remains a central issue in the broader conflict.

Faits rapportés

Masisi, February 16, 2026 - The AFC/M23 coalition, which is fighting against the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has announced plans to establish a telecommunications company in territories under its control, aiming to restore communication services for local populations. The announcement was made on February 16, 2026, by Bahati Musanga Erasto, the governor of North Kivu appointed by AFC/M23, during a visit to residents in the town center of Kitshanga, located in Masisi Territory. Accusations Against Kinshasa Addressing residents, Governor Bahati accused the government in Kinshasa of deliberately cutting off telecommunications services in areas controlled by the coalition, alleging that the move was intended to harm civilians living in those areas. “It is the government of Kinshasa that interrupted the transmission. We are working to ensure this does not happen again. We are putting in place an alternative transmission system; no one will interrupt it because it belongs to us. It will reach Goma, Kitshanga, and everywhere else. No one will touch these antennas again to disrupt transmission,” he said. According to Bahati, only the cities of Goma and Bukavu currently have functioning telephone services, while other localities remain cut off, depriving residents of access to modern communication technologies. Uncertainty Surrounding the Project Details about how the project will be implemented remain unclear. It is not known whether AFC/M23 intends to launch a new telecommunications company or partner with an existing operator already active in other countries. The announcement comes amid ongoing tensions in eastern DRC, where control over territory, public services, and strategic infrastructure remains a central issue in the broader conflict.