The Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), in coordination with the M23 movement, has announced the appointment of a new administrative leadership for South Kivu Province, marking a significant shift in governance away from the administration of President Félix Tshisekedi.
According to an official decree (No. 05/COORDO-PR/AFC-M23/2025), the AFC has designated Birato Rwihimba Emmanuel as the new Governor of South Kivu, with Dunia Masumbuko Bwenge appointed as Vice-Governor for Political, Administrative, and Legal Affairs, and Gishinge Gasinizira Juvénal as Vice-Governor for Economic, Financial, and Development Affairs.
The decree cites the need for territorial administration reform, emphasizing transparency, good governance, and proximity to the population. It also highlights the vacancy in the provincial leadership as a key reason for this appointment. The decision was officially signed in Bukavu by Bertrand Bisimwa, President of M23 and Deputy Coordinator of AFC for Political and Diplomatic Affairs, and approved by Corneille Nangaa Yobeluo, Coordinator of the AFC.
This move consolidates the AFC/M23’s influence over eastern DRC as the group continues to expand its control in the region. The new leadership is expected to establish its authority and implement governance changes in South Kivu, a province long plagued by conflict and instability.
The announcement signals a direct challenge to the Tshisekedi administration’s legitimacy in the province, as AFC/M23 asserts itself as a governing authority in eastern Congo.