Three high-ranking soldiers left the FARDC to join Joseph Kabila's FRN in just 4 days, including Gen. Kamanzi, Col. Demumba and Lt. Lumba Lula, who are believed to have joined other soldiers, although they were not immediately announced.
In just four days, the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) has lost three senior officers with powerful connections, joining the new Front pour la Refondation de la Nation (FRN) led by Joseph Kabila Kabange.Â
The first is Brig Gen François Kamanzi, confirmed on Monday, October 27, 2026 by FRN Spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka. Kamanzi was the Director of Military Operations in the 12th Military Region located in Congo-Central.Â
Gen Kamanzi's story is a long one. He first served in the Rwandan army in the RPF that overthrew Mobutu in 1997, then in the RCD, before being inducted into the FARDC when the country was reunified. During Kabila's term, he served in the operations and intelligence services in North Kivu, and is suspected of helping to send former M23 members to fight the 2016 uprising.
On Wednesday, October 28, 2026, another one arrived, Col Demumba Ndolo Ghislain. He was the Deputy Commander in charge of military operations and intelligence in the 61st Land Forces Brigade based in Nyunzu, Tanganyika. Sources say that he has already arrived in Goma where the FRN is headquartered.
The third is Lt. Lemba Lula Arnold. He was reportedly part of the DRC President's security detail. News of his reconciliation was announced by Willy Manzi, who was appointed by AFC/M23 to lead the city of Goma.Â
This rapid growth of the FRN comes after its official inauguration on October 12, 2026 in Goma. On that day, Joseph Kabila announced that the AFC, which included M23, was replaced by the FRN, with him as President, and AFC/M23 leaders such as Corneille Nangaa, Bertrand Bisimwa and Gen Sultani Makenga as Vice Presidents.Â
Kanyuka, when announcing Gen Kamanzi, had said, "And we will announce the names of two other officers who have also joined us. Their identities will be announced in the coming days." These words were followed up just 24 hours later by the announcement of Col Demumba and Lt Lemba.Â
Goma has now become the capital of the FRN. It is where political and military decisions are made, and where the new officers are said to have met. Col Demumba is said to be based there after leaving Nyunzu.
The reason for the officers' flight is said to be a loss of confidence in the Kinshasa administration. In its statement, the FRN accuses the government of corruption, persecution of its opponents, and failure to provide security and basic services.Â
In Kinshasa, President Félix Tshisekedi immediately denounced the FRN. He said that Kabila had become a "proxy" for Paul Kagame, and that the FRN was Kigali's plan to portray the war as internal and hide Rwanda's involvement.
Joseph Kabila denies this. In a recent interview with CTGL, he said that the drone attack in Goma during a lull was intended to kill him, adding that there were those in Kinshasa who were happy and thought they had achieved their goal.Â
The fact that three senior officers come from three different regions - Kongo-Central, Tanganyika, and the Presidential Guard - gives the FRN a national image, not just the east. This raises concerns that the fighting could spread.
By now, a United Nations report dated June 11, 2026, had predicted that the AFC-M23 would change its face, with Kabila playing a major role. The events of October confirmed these predictions.
Analysts say that three issues will determine the future: whether the FRN will maintain the unity between Kabila and Gen Makenga, whether it will attract more FARDC soldiers, and whether it will respect the Doha talks led by Qatar.
NSANZIMANA SylverOct 28, 20264 min read
