DRC Agriculture Minister Criticizes FARDC and Intelligence Services Over War and Media

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Muhindo Nzangi Butondo, has strongly criticized the FARDC and military intelligence services, accusing them of being intimidated by narratives circulating on social media amid the ongoing conflict. Speaking in an interview on January 5, 2026, the minister argued that the DRC government is losing not only the war on the ground but also the information battle. He said the situation surrounding the fall of Uvira illustrates how misinformation and panic contributed to military failure. “Take the example of Uvira. They announced its capture while M23 fighters were still in Luvungi, about 30 kilometers away. Once the news spread online, everyone believed Uvira had fallen, and the national army fled the city before the enemy even arrived,” he said. On December 9, 2025, AFC/M23 fighters entered Uvira, before withdrawing about a week later following international pressure, particularly from the United States, which had assured that peace talks would continue. According to Minister Muhindo, the AFC/M23 coalition maintains significant military strength, to the extent that, without external intervention, it could have advanced far beyond Uvira. “I must be honest: if it had not been for a message from Marco Rubio saying, ‘We are not happy! We are not happy!’, they would likely be in Kalemie, in Tanganyika Province, because there was practically nothing stopping them. That message gave us time to prepare,” he stated. The minister emphasized that the absence of further territorial advances by AFC/M23 should not be interpreted as a lack of military capability, but rather as the result of diplomatic intervention, mainly by the United States. He concluded by asserting that the only real leverage the DRC government still retains is diplomatic, not military, underscoring the fragility of the country’s security apparatus in the face of organized armed groups.

Faits rapportés

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Muhindo Nzangi Butondo, has strongly criticized the FARDC and military intelligence services, accusing them of being intimidated by narratives circulating on social media amid the ongoing conflict. Speaking in an interview on January 5, 2026, the minister argued that the DRC government is losing not only the war on the ground but also the information battle. He said the situation surrounding the fall of Uvira illustrates how misinformation and panic contributed to military failure. “Take the example of Uvira. They announced its capture while M23 fighters were still in Luvungi, about 30 kilometers away. Once the news spread online, everyone believed Uvira had fallen, and the national army fled the city before the enemy even arrived,” he said. On December 9, 2025, AFC/M23 fighters entered Uvira, before withdrawing about a week later following international pressure, particularly from the United States, which had assured that peace talks would continue. According to Minister Muhindo, the AFC/M23 coalition maintains significant military strength, to the extent that, without external intervention, it could have advanced far beyond Uvira. “I must be honest: if it had not been for a message from Marco Rubio saying, ‘We are not happy! We are not happy!’, they would likely be in Kalemie, in Tanganyika Province, because there was practically nothing stopping them. That message gave us time to prepare,” he stated. The minister emphasized that the absence of further territorial advances by AFC/M23 should not be interpreted as a lack of military capability, but rather as the result of diplomatic intervention, mainly by the United States. He concluded by asserting that the only real leverage the DRC government still retains is diplomatic, not military, underscoring the fragility of the country’s security apparatus in the face of organized armed groups.