SOUTH KIVU, DRC – Colonel Charles Sematama, the deserter-turned-commander of the Twirwaneho militia in South Kivu, has openly acknowledged longstanding ties between his group and the M23 rebels operating in North Kivu. Speaking in a video circulated online this week, Sematama also addressed the Nairobi peace talks, the Doha process, and the political alignment of his militia.
Under U.S. sanctions, Sematama spoke in Kinyarwanda to Twirwaneho members, explaining that their collaboration with M23 predated the formation of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), which formally brought the two movements under the same banner earlier this year.
“The AFC came when we had already established agreements and collaboration with M23,” Sematama said. “We have one enemy – the Congolese army – and the problems they face in the North are the same as ours. That is why we came together to fight the enemy and try to bring peace to our people. Political matters will be discussed later.”
From Cooperation to Formal Alliance
In February 2025, Twirwaneho officially joined the AFC, a politico-military alliance led by Corneille Nangaa and aligned with M23. The decision came shortly after the death of Colonel Michel Rukundo, alias Makanika – Sematama’s predecessor – who was killed in a drone strike in Minembwe, Fizi territory.
Sematama revealed that the group initially intended to keep their AFC affiliation quiet to avoid drawing attention from “the enemy,” but later made it public. Twirwaneho also receives support from the Burundian rebel group Red Tabara, which is itself backed by Rwanda.
The AFC’s leadership includes high-profile figures such as Bertrand Bisimwa, Sultani Makenga, and Freddy Kaniki, the current president of Twirwaneho, who serves as a deputy coordinator within the AFC.
On the Peace Processes
Sematama made clear that Twirwaneho is not participating in ongoing peace talks, including the Doha process between Kinshasa and AFC/M23 representatives.
“We are not in dialogue,” he stated. “We participated in previous talks, such as those in Kenya, but when M23 was expelled from the Nairobi process and labeled a terrorist movement, they simply left. Since then, we have been part of no dialogue.”
While AFC/M23 is engaged in discussions with the Congolese government, Sematama insists Twirwaneho is not involved.
Regional and Political Implications
These admissions underscore the complex web of alliances in eastern DRC, where local militias, foreign-backed rebel groups, and regional political interests intersect. Twirwaneho’s alignment with M23 – and by extension AFC – cements a military partnership that poses significant challenges to peace efforts in both North and South Kivu.
With the Doha talks ongoing, the militia’s exclusion – whether by choice or circumstance – raises questions about the inclusiveness and effectiveness of current peace initiatives.
Tags: #DRC #M23 #Twirwaneho #AFC #SouthKivu #EasternDRCConflict #DohaProcess #NairobiTalks
📌 Author: Mangwa
📍 Read more: mecamediaafrica.com