AFC/M23 confirmed this through its Secretary General, Benjamin Mbonimpa, during a press briefing held on Thursday, November 20, 2025.

The briefing, held in the city of Goma, focused on the core principles aimed at ending the conflict between AFC/M23 and Kinshasa, which the two sides signed in Doha, Qatar, at the end of last week.

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Following the signing of those principles, Kinshasa and AFC/M23 are expected to continue negotiations in another African country, where they will discuss eight key points. One of these points concerns the disarmament and reintegration of fighters from various armed groups.

While explaining this particular point, Mbonimpa stated that the groups to be disarmed include Wazalendo, and that both parties have committed to this.

He said: “Both sides agreed to refrain from supporting, tolerating, or protecting any armed group. Both sides agreed to disarm domestic armed groups all Wazalendo units and all other internal groups must be disarmed. Both sides also committed to dismantling foreign armed groups such as the ADF, the FDLR, and others.”

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AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka also confirmed that the Wazalendo militias must be disarmed and called on their members to begin laying down their weapons.

AFC/M23 stated that a plan to disarm these groups is underway, even as Wazalendo fighters continue to fight alongside government forces against M23. The rebel group says the disarmament of Wazalendo is a key step toward completely eliminating armed groups and restoring lasting peace in the region.