The Rise of Major General Evariste in North Kivu

The advance of the March 23 Movement (M23) in South Kivu is exacerbating an already critical situation. In response, Albert Foka Mike, the provincial Minister of the Interior for South Kivu, has called on former soldiers, combatants, and volunteers to join the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) to combat the M23.

Concurrently, President Félix Tshisekedi has appointed Major General Somo Kakule Evariste as the new military governor of North Kivu, replacing Major General Peter Chirimwami, who was killed defending Goma. Born on August 7, 1973, in Goma, Major General Evariste is a distinguished and seasoned officer with a degree in public law from the Catholic University of Graben (UCG).

He began his career in the political-military movement Le Rassemblement Congolais pour la Démocratie /Kisangani – Mouvement de Libération (RCD/K-ML), where he served as aide-de-camp to Mbusa Nyamwisi and head of military intelligence. He also represented the RCD/K-ML at the inter-Congolese dialogue in Lusaka, Zambia. Upon returning, he joined the unified Congolese army. Major General Evariste is an alumnus of several prestigious military institutions, including the College of Advanced Studies in Strategy and Defense (CHESD 02), the Royal Military Academy of Belgium, and the Higher Command School of Kinshasa.

As an expert in psychological operations, intelligence, and military training, Major General Evariste has held numerous strategic positions, including commander of the 31st Rapid Reaction Brigade, commander of the Northern Axis based in Lubero, and advisor to the Ministry of Defense, among others.

In his new role as governor of North Kivu, he is tasked with reorganizing the defense against the M23 and restoring state authority in the province. Civil society actors in North Kivu have high expectations for him, given his extensive experience and prior effectiveness as head of the 31st Rapid Reaction Brigade.

It is important to note that Major General Evariste will focus solely on administrative duties and will not have operational command.

Meanwhile, the M23 has solidified its control over Goma and announced plans to establish an administration to govern the city. During their attack, several pieces of FARDC military equipment were abandoned, including American-made BATT UMG armored personnel carriers and Ukrainian-made 122 mm Bastion-1 MLRS, which were captured at Goma International Airport on January 30, 2025. Images also show Soviet-made 122 mm M-30 and D-30 howitzers, as well as a Belarus-made Berkut drone, captured by the M23.

This indicates a long-term intent by the M23, with information suggesting plans to advance towards Luebo in North Kivu and Bukavu in South Kivu, according to associates of Corneille Naanga, coordinator of the Congo River Alliance (AFC), which includes the M23.

On the humanitarian front, most internally displaced persons in various camps in Goma have begun returning to their respective villages, leaving several camps nearly empty.