A delegation from the M23 has carried out a technical evaluation mission to the Ruzizi hydroelectric power plant and the National Electricity Company, known by its French acronym SNEL, signalling the armed coalition’s stated commitment to restoring electricity infrastructure in territory under its control.
The mission, conducted on Friday, June 5, 2026, was led by Benjamin Mbonipa, the AFC/M23’s Permanent Secretary and Executive Head.
The delegation met with SNEL executives and staff to assess the current state of works at the plant, evaluate operational conditions on the ground, and gather the concerns and expectations of electricity sector workers.
According to the AFC/M23, the exchanges identified the principal challenges facing the electricity sector in the region and produced several concrete pathways toward strengthening production capacity, improving infrastructure operations, and raising the quality of electrical service for surrounding communities.
The Ruzizi hydroelectric plant, which draws on the Ruzizi River running between the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Burundi, has historically been a critical source of power for the Great Lakes region.
Disruptions to its operations have had significant consequences for households, businesses and public services across the area.
The AFC/M23 said the visit formed part of a broader commitment to rehabilitating strategic infrastructure and expanding sustainable access to energy in territories it administers, describing reliable electricity as an essential driver of economic development and community well-being.
The Kinshasa government had not issued a response to the mission at the time of publication.
The situation in eastern DRC remains the subject of ongoing regional and international diplomatic engagement.