A wave of voluntary enlistments was observed this week in the Manga Sud neighborhood, located in the Karisimbi commune of Goma. More than a dozen young people joined the ranks of the Revolutionary Army of Congo (ARC) following an awareness campaign led by the listening team of the mobilization and recruitment coordination of the Alliance of Forces for Change/M23 (AFC/M23).
According to the organizers, this initiative aimed to “raise awareness among youth about the cause supported by the movement” and to promote civic engagement through direct involvement in the ARC.
“This is not coercion, but a call to responsibility. These young people have chosen to defend their future and that of their community,” said a member of the mobilization cell, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Based on testimonies collected on site, some youths said they were motivated by a desire for change, while others cited a lack of socio-economic opportunities in their immediate environment.
This campaign is part of a series of similar actions undertaken by the AFC/M23 in several localities in North Kivu, where the movement seeks to expand its base through voluntary recruitment.
However, these activities are not without controversy. Civil society organizations have voiced concerns, fearing that the enlistment of young people will further militarize a region already marked by instability.
“We understand the frustrations of the youth, but the solution does not necessarily lie in taking up arms,” responded a local civil society actor. “It is urgent for authorities to implement concrete alternatives.”
For now, provincial authorities have not yet officially responded to these new enlistments.
