Meet Corneille Nangaa: Person Behind M23 Rebel Group in DR Congo

By Luckson Mvula

Corneille Nangaa Yubeluo, a Congolese politician and rebel leader, has been making headlines recently as the head of the Congo River Alliance, a coalition of rebel groups in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). But who is Corneille Nangaa, and what drives his opposition to the government? Born on July 9, 1970, in Bagboya, Orientale Province (now Haut-Uele Province), Nangaa graduated from the University of Kinshasa with a degree in economics. He went on to work as an Africa specialist at several international organizations, including the United Nations Development Programme. This background in economics and international relations seems to have prepared him for his future roles in politics. Nangaa’s rise to prominence began when he became the director of the DRC’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from 2015 to 2021. During his tenure, he oversaw Presidential and all kind of Elections in the country and He Actually Certified Felix Tshisekedi as the winner of the Contested 2018 General Elections. However, his relationship with Tshisekedi soon soured, and in 2023, Nangaa announced his opposition to the Tshisekedi government. Nangaa’s opposition to the government is closely tied to the M23 rebellion, a Congolese Tutsi led rebel military group operating in the eastern DRC. The M23 movement, which Nangaa is now a the Leader of, has been active since 2012 and has been responsible for significant displacement and violence in the region. The group’s rebellion against the DRC government led to the capture of Goma, a provincial Capital. Nangaa’s ultimate goal is to overthrow the current government by capturing Kinshasa, in few weeks to come, the capital city of the DRC. In fact, he has publicly stated that the M23 plans to continue fighting until they reach Kinshasa. Does he have good intentions? Is it a bad idea? Is he going to be the David of Congo ? Why are the Indigenous People of the Eastern DRC Supporting him? Why is president Felix not willing to negotiate?