The AFC/M23 rebel movement established its own mechanisms to respond to the Ebola outbreak in areas under its control in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in a system that differed from the one led by the government in Kinshasa.
According to a Reuters investigation, when a small Ebola outbreak emerged in the region, AFC/M23 worked with health workers and disease response teams to establish measures aimed at tracking infections, monitoring contacts of patients, and strengthening prevention efforts to contain the spread of the virus.
Reuters reported that the Ebola response operations took place outside the direct control of the Congolese government, as Kinshasa did not administer the affected areas. Instead, health activities continued through structures established by AFC/M23 in the territories it controlled.
The Reuters investigation also indicated that documents reviewed by humanitarian teams and local officials showed that some health-related activities received support from Rwanda. However, the report did not provide detailed information on the scale or nature of that support, while Rwanda has continued to deny accusations of backing M23.
Analysts interviewed by Reuters said AFC/M23’s handling of the Ebola response helped the group demonstrate its ability to provide basic public services and exercise administrative control in areas where it operates, despite not being internationally recognized as a legitimate government authority.
The Reuters investigation suggests that the Ebola response was not only a public health operation but also became a demonstration of governance and influence, as AFC/M23 sought to portray itself as capable of managing civilian affairs in territories under its control while conflict continued in eastern DRC.
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