The M23 rebel group has captured Goma and Bukavu in the DRC, despite the FARDC’s significant numbers. Systemic corruption, inadequate training, and communication issues plague the DRC’s military, compounded by the support from Rwanda. There are pressing calls for military reform, but immediate solutions remain elusive.
Since January 2025, the M23 rebel group has taken control of Goma and Bukavu, two significant cities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The rebel movement persists in establishing governance over these strategically important areas.
The Congolese armed forces, known as FARDC, reportedly consisted of around 135,000 soldiers in 2022, though this number has likely increased since then. In contrast, the United Nations estimates M23 comprises only a few thousand fighters, with support from approximately 4,000 soldiers from Rwanda.
Despite President Felix Tshisekedi’s increase in military spending to $794 million (€732 million) for 2023, questions arise regarding how M23 has maintained control over substantial territories in the eastern DRC. According to Alain De Neve from the Royal Higher Institute for Defense, “one of the main factors explaining the weakness of the FARDC lies in systemic corruption.”
Corruption within the FARDC has led to misappropriation of funds designated for soldiers’ salaries and military logistics, resulting in low morale and frequent desertions among troops. Ciaran Wrons-Passmann from the German Ecumenical Network for Central Africa described FARDC’s operations as a “self-service shop,” allowing military leaders to enrich themselves at the expense of national defense.
Reports indicate that senior FARDC officers often claim more troops than are actually under their command, thus receiving excess funding from Kinshasa. “The money is mostly distributed via the generals,” noted Jakob Kerstan of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.
FARDC confronts entrenched issues such as inadequate pay and systemic corruption. Although improved wages were announced, they remain significantly lower than those offered to Eastern European mercenaries. De Neve highlighted a critical shortfall in training and equipment, contrasting FARDC’s outdated capabilities with M23’s more sophisticated training and combat tactics adapted for North Kivu’s mountainous terrain.
Communication challenges exacerbate the FARDC’s effectiveness, with operations occasionally coordinated via informal channels like WhatsApp, complicating oversight from the central command in Kinshasa. De Neve pointed to widespread cronyism that undermines military efficacy, noting that commanders are frequently chosen based on loyalty rather than competence.
The DRC’s military has long suffered from a lack of stability and competent leadership, as constant rotation within the ranks demonstrates the government’s failure to identify capable personnel. Furthermore, the military legacy rooted in the actions of former leaders like Mobutu Sese Seko has hindered the development of a strong national defense.
De Neve emphasizes that a crucial factor in FARDC’s struggle against M23 is the military backing provided by Rwanda, which has maintained a highly organized and competent army. Congolese government spokesman Patrick Muyaya acknowledged past mistakes and outlined efforts to reform the armed forces, although he cautioned that significant changes cannot be expected overnight. “You cannot think that you can solve, finish all the reform […] for the army in five years,” he remarked.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s military struggles to contend with the M23 rebel movement due to systemic corruption, inadequate training, and communication challenges. Despite increased military spending, these deep-rooted issues have led to low troop morale and operational inefficacy. The influence of Rwanda’s military further complicates the situation, emphasizing the urgency for comprehensive reform within the FARDC to restore a functional national defense. Ultimately, addressing these challenges is critical for establishing stability in the region.
Original Source: www.dw.com
