Reports emerging from the region indicate that Sultani Makenga, the long-serving military commander of the March 23 Movement (M23), has allegedly died in Kampala.
The news, first circulated by the rebel coalition Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23), has sent shockwaves across the Great Lakes region.
In a statement reportedly issued from Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, AFC/M23 confirmed that Makenga succumbed to injuries while receiving treatment at a hospital in Kampala on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. The group claimed he had sustained injuries a day earlier under circumstances it did not clearly explain.
According to the statement signed by Alumba Lukamba Omokoko, Chief of Staff to the AFC Office, Makenga’s life was “taken in circumstances” of February 24 before he was transferred to Kampala for specialized medical care. The message described his death as a painful loss to the movement and its supporters.
However, by press time, authorities in Uganda had not issued any official confirmation regarding Makenga’s hospitalization or death.
Similarly, the government in Kinshasa had not publicly commented on the reports, leaving room for uncertainty and speculation.
Makenga has long been regarded as a central figure in M23’s military operations. The armed group has operated mainly in North Kivu Province, an area that has faced years of instability and violent clashes between rebel forces and government troops.
Over the years, the activities of M23 have drawn international attention. The group has been accused of fueling insecurity in eastern Congo, leading to mass displacement of civilians and humanitarian crises. Makenga, as its military commander, was often seen as the face of its battlefield strategy.
The AFC/M23 statement praised him as a committed figure in what it termed the “armed struggle.” It extended condolences to his family and to what it described as the revolutionary community within the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The announcement also revived accusations against the Kinshasa government, referencing alleged violations of previous peace agreements, including the Doha Framework Agreement.
However, the statement did not connect those claims directly to the circumstances surrounding Makenga’s reported death.
Observers note that if confirmed, Makenga’s death could significantly affect the command structure of M23.
Leadership changes within armed groups often create power shifts, internal competition, or even fragmentation.
Security analysts across the region are closely watching developments. Eastern Congo has remained volatile for decades, and any major shift within M23 could either escalate tensions or open a window for renewed negotiations.
Makenga has previously faced international scrutiny and sanctions due to his alleged role in the armed conflict. His name has frequently appeared in reports discussing instability in the Great Lakes region.
The reported transfer to Kampala for medical treatment has also raised questions. It remains unclear how he was transported, under what arrangements, and what type of injuries he sustained prior to his death.
In Uganda, officials have remained silent so far, neither confirming nor denying the reports. The lack of immediate official communication has fueled debate on social media and among political observers.
Meanwhile, in Goma and surrounding areas, reactions have reportedly been mixed. Some supporters of M23 view him as a defender of their cause, while others in the broader Congolese population associate his leadership with prolonged suffering.
The broader regional implications cannot be ignored. Neighboring countries have often been drawn into diplomatic tensions related to the conflict in eastern Congo. Any development involving a high-profile rebel commander is likely to attract international attention.
Humanitarian organizations operating in North Kivu are also monitoring the situation closely. Stability or instability within armed groups directly impacts civilian safety and access to aid.
If confirmed, Makenga’s death could mark the end of a significant chapter in the history of M23. He has been one of its most visible leaders since the group’s emergence.
At the same time, uncertainty remains until official statements are released by Ugandan and Congolese authorities. In conflicts marked by propaganda and information wars, verification is critical.
For now, the region waits for clarity. Whether this development will lead to de-escalation or further tension remains to be seen.
As investigations and confirmations unfold, one thing is certain: the reported death of Sultani Makenga has already stirred political, military, and diplomatic conversations across Central and East Africa.
