M23 Rebel Commander Sultani Makenga Reported Dead in Kampala Hospital Following Injuries in Eastern Congo

If the report is independently verified — and so far neither the Kinshasa government, regional bodies like the East African Community, nor the United Nations have confirmed it — the loss could create real challenges for M23. Command transitions in active conflicts are never smooth, and questions will quickly arise about who steps into the role and whether the group’s momentum on the ground will hold.

The M23 rebel movement, operating under the banner of AFC/M23, has officially announced the death of its longtime military commander, Sultani Makenga. In a statement released from Goma on February 25, the group revealed that Makenga passed away in a Kampala hospital after being injured the previous day.

According to the communiqué signed by Chief of Staff Alumba Lukamba Omokoko, Makenga sustained injuries on February 24, 2026, and succumbed to them on Wednesday, February 25. The rebels described the loss as a profound blow to what they term the “revolutionary community” of the Democratic Republic of Congo. They extended condolences to his biological family and to all Congolese who have supported the fight for social justice and peaceful coexistence.

The statement also took a strong political tone. AFC/M23 accused the Kinshasa government of repeatedly breaking peace promises, specifically pointing to the Doha Framework Agreement that was meant to guide talks and de-escalation. The group called on both national and international observers to take note of what they see as deliberate disregard by President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration.

This announcement lands at a particularly tense moment. Just days earlier, a drone strike near Rubaya in North Kivu killed M23’s military spokesperson Willy Ngoma along with several fighters. Reports at the time suggested Makenga himself had been in the area and possibly wounded, though his exact condition stayed unclear until now. The strike marked a sharp rise in violence even as regional mediators continue pushing for ceasefires.

For context, Sultani Makenga has been the face of M23’s military operations for years. Born in Rutshuru, North Kivu, he has spent decades in various armed groups in the region and became the movement’s top commander almost from its revival. Many analysts view him as the strategic and operational backbone keeping the rebellion cohesive amid shifting alliances and heavy pressure from Congolese forces and UN peacekeepers.

For Ugandans following the story, the news hits close to home. Makenga’s reported death in Kampala adds another layer to the complex cross-border dynamics that have long linked Uganda with events in eastern Congo. Whether this development opens any new door for peace talks or simply hardens positions on both sides remains to be seen. The situation on the ground continues to evolve rapidly, and independent confirmation will be essential before drawing firm conclusions.