AFC/M23 delivers electricity to forgotten regions

In a move that has stunned observers across the Democratic Republic of Congo, the AFC/M23 rebel coalition has successfully electrified multiple territories under its control, including Kitshanga in Masisi and Kamanyola in Walungu.

A newly installed electrical transformer now has the capacity to power entire regions, marking a dramatic shift in infrastructure delivery compared to 65 years of post-independence neglect by Kinshasa.

The initiative was led by Bahati Musanga Erasto, AFC/M23-appointed governor of North Kivu, and Busu Bwa Ngwi Patrick, governor of South Kivu. Both emphasized that the electrification project is part of a broader strategy to restore dignity and services to communities long abandoned by the central government.

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“Darkness will soon be a thing of the past,” said Governor Busu during the handover ceremony in Kamanyola.

The success of AFC/M23’s electrification efforts has sparked debate about governance legitimacy, state failure, and the role of rebel administrations in delivering public services. As Kinshasa prepares for peace negotiations, the contrast between AFC/M23’s rapid infrastructure rollout and decades of government inaction is becoming increasingly visible.