FARDC’s Deceptive Claims of Recapturing Territories from M23 Movement

The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) have once again announced that they have recaptured several areas in North Kivu from the M23 Movement. However, this is not the first time FARDC has made such claims, which later turn out to be false.

In a statement posted on their X (formerly Twitter) account, FARDC declared that they had taken control of several towns and villages in the Rutshuru and Masisi territories. The statement read:

“FARDC has successfully reclaimed and liberated many strategic towns and villages in the Rutshuru territory and surrounding areas, which were previously under M23 control. This major victory is a testament to our commitment to restoring peace, security, and sovereignty in the eastern part of our country.”

However, this is far from the first time FARDC has released such statements. In the past, Kinshasa has repeatedly claimed that its forces have recaptured areas held by the M23 Movement, only for those claims to be later proven false. This pattern has led many to view FARDC as a military force that often resorts to propaganda, making exaggerated statements aimed at reassuring the public and portraying an image of control over the country’s security.

Meanwhile, the M23 Movement has yet to respond to these recent claims by FARDC. Recently, M23 warned the Congolese army, accusing FARDC of launching attacks on its positions and in areas populated by civilians. There is now growing concern that heavy fighting could resume between the two sides, ending the fragile truce they had previously agreed upon.

FARDC’s recurring practice of claiming control over territories without substantial proof has been seen as a strategy to deceive the public and maintain a facade of dominance, even as its actions on the ground show a different reality.

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