General Sultani Makenga, the military leader of the M23 Movement, rarely grants interviews. However, in an exclusive discussion with journalist Alain Destexhe, he broke his silence on the conflict in eastern Congo, the reasons behind M23’s military advances, and his views on President Félix Tshisekedi. This interview, conducted in a heavily secured villa turned headquarters, sheds light on the motivations, strategies, and future plans of M23.
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Makenga insists that M23’s fight is not about territorial conquest but survival. “We took up arms because we were facing extermination. We were not going to let ourselves be wiped out without resisting!” he declared, pointing to recent attacks on Tutsi-majority villages in Masisi as evidence of targeted ethnic violence.
While M23 has seized key strategic locations such as Goma and Bukavu, Makenga maintains that the movement has no intention of marching to Kinshasa—unless provoked. “We had no choice but to take Goma and Bukavu because the FARDC and Burundian forces were shelling our positions and targeting civilians. We had to neutralize the threat,” he explained.
Despite being vastly outnumbered and outgunned, M23 has achieved significant victories against the FARDC. Makenga attributes this success to discipline, conviction, and necessity. “Unlike the FARDC, our soldiers do not receive a salary. They fight out of patriotism, with determination,” he stated.
As Angola, the current chair of the African Union, proposes direct negotiations between M23 and Kinshasa, Makenga signals readiness for talks but notes the lack of engagement from the Congolese government. “We are willing to negotiate, but at this stage, we have only taken note of Angola’s position. Kinshasa has yet to make a move,” he said.
The presence of foreign mercenaries in the conflict is another pressing issue. “It is unjust for people to come from Europe to kill those who are defending their rights,” Makenga said, referring to reports of Romanian mercenaries fighting alongside the FARDC. He also criticized MONUSCO for inconsistencies in reporting FARDC troop numbers and the continued presence of hostile forces in Goma.
When asked about President Félix Tshisekedi, Makenga did not hold back. “He does not love his country. He is a bandit,” he stated unequivocally. Pressed on whether this behavior developed over time or was inherent, Makenga responded, “I believe he has always been one.”
The interview concludes with discussions on the role of MONUSCO, the reopening of Goma airport, the issue of minerals, and the continued presence of the FDLR. These topics will be explored further in the next segment of this exclusive series.
Stay tuned for part two of this interview, where we delve deeper into M23’s stance on international involvement, resource exploitation, and the future of eastern Congo.
Interview conducted by Alain Destexhe in Goma, DR Congo, on 12/03/2025.
