The Congo River Alliance/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23) has directed all its political cadres in possession of military equipment to immediately return it to the Congolese Revolutionary Army (ARC), the movement’s armed wing, as part of efforts to reinforce internal discipline and tighten control over military assets.
The directive was issued following a meeting held on Thursday, July 24, between the AFC/M23 Political Coordination and senior military authorities of the ARC.
In a statement released after the meeting, the movement said all political officials holding military effects must hand them back to the ARC in accordance with existing directives.
“The Political Coordination invites all political cadres holding military effects to return them to the Congolese Revolutionary Army (ARC), in accordance with current directives,” the statement said.
According to the movement, the measure is intended to strengthen internal discipline while ensuring the “rigorous and controlled use of military effects” within its structures.
The AFC/M23 also warned that anyone who fails to comply with the directive will face disciplinary sanctions.
Although the statement did not specify what prompted the order or define the military effects concerned, the decision signals an effort by the movement to reinforce the separation between its political and military structures and centralize control over military equipment.
Since capturing large parts of North and South Kivu earlier this year, AFC/M23 has increasingly sought to portray itself not only as a military force but also as a political and administrative movement, establishing governance structures, appointing civilian officials and introducing administrative reforms in areas under its control.
The latest directive suggests the movement is continuing efforts to formalize internal governance and strengthen command and accountability within the ARC as it consolidates its administration in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The statement was issued by the Office of the Political Coordination (DIRCAB) of the AFC/M23.