AFC/M23 authorities in North Kivu have reassured residents amid rising speculation over military activity, insisting that recent troop movements are routine and not a sign of escalating insecurity.
In an official communiqué, the provincial Governor, Bahati Musanga Erasto, said the movements observed across several axes are part of the “habitual rotation” of forces belonging to the Armée Révolutionnaire Congolaise (ARC), aimed at maintaining operational readiness and reorganizing positions.
The statement pushed back against what it described as “unfounded rumors and disinformation campaigns” circulating on social media and attributed to actors linked to Kinshasa.
According to the communiqué, such narratives are intended to “sow confusion and psychosis” among civilians at a time of heightened sensitivity in the region.
Authorities emphasized that areas under AFC/M23 control remain stable, stressing that the population is currently living “in peace and security” despite ongoing tensions in other parts of North Kivu.
The administration also reaffirmed its security posture, stating that AFC/M23 is “determined to protect all the population against threats, wherever they may come from,” while maintaining vigilance along frontlines.
Residents were urged to remain calm and avoid panic, with officials calling for “calm, vigilance and serenity” and encouraging people to continue their daily activities without disruption.
The reassurance comes amid continued military pressure and an intensifying information battle between AFC/M23 and the Congolese government, with both sides seeking to shape public perception as developments on the ground evolve.