M23 AFC: Confiscates Kinshasa Dignitary Buildings in Goma

• An alert from September 5, 2026, by RSF reported that AFC/M23 rebels are confiscating and controlling buildings in Goma.
• These targeted properties belong specifically to dignitaries from Kinshasa.
• The AFC/M23 has been implementing this strategy since conquering Goma in January 2025.
• The actions represent a systematic effort by the rebel group to seize and control urban assets in North Kivu.

The AFC/M23's strategy of M23 AFC confiscation Kinshasa dignitary buildings Goma holds significant implications beyond the immediate loss of property.

An alert issued on September 5, 2026, by RSF highlights a concerning development in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The report indicates that AFC/M23 rebels are actively engaged in a strategy of confiscating and controlling buildings located in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province. These properties are specifically identified as belonging to dignitaries from Kinshasa, signaling a targeted approach by the armed group.

This systematic seizure of assets by the AFC/M23 has been ongoing since January 2025, following the group's conquest of Goma. The rebels have reportedly been developing and implementing this strategy over an extended period, transforming individual acts of seizure into a broader, organized effort to assert control over valuable urban real estate. The alert underscores the persistent instability and the erosion of property rights in the region under the influence of non-state armed actors.

The AFC/M23's actions in Goma represent more than opportunistic looting; they reflect a deliberate strategy to control assets within the city. Since establishing their presence in Goma in January 2025, the rebel group has systematically targeted buildings owned by prominent figures from the capital, Kinshasa. This pattern of property seizure suggests an intent to consolidate economic power or exert political pressure through the control of significant real estate holdings.

The ongoing confiscation and control of these properties by the AFC/M23 rebels underscore the challenges faced by property owners and the broader population in the Eastern DRC. The group's ability to implement such a strategy, particularly against politically connected individuals, demonstrates a significant level of operational capacity and territorial influence within Goma, further complicating efforts to restore stability and rule of law in the area.

The confiscation of private property by non-state armed groups like the AFC/M23 raises profound legal and humanitarian concerns. Under international humanitarian law, the arbitrary seizure of civilian property is generally prohibited, especially when not justified by military necessity. The targeting of buildings belonging to Kinshasa dignitaries by the AFC/M23 in Goma constitutes a direct challenge to established property rights and the legal framework governing asset ownership in conflict zones.

Such actions create a climate of fear and insecurity, deterring investment and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the Eastern DRC. The systematic nature of these property seizures, as reported by RSF, highlights the urgent need for attention to the Goma M23 legal implications and the broader context of DRC conflict property law. The long-term consequences for displaced owners and the potential for future restitution claims remain significant challenges.

The AFC/M23's strategy of M23 AFC confiscation Kinshasa dignitary buildings Goma holds significant implications beyond the immediate loss of property. It signals a deeper entrenchment of the rebel group's control and its capacity to undermine state authority in the Eastern DRC. The targeting of Kinshasa dignitaries' properties could also be interpreted as a move to weaken the central government's influence or to fund the rebel group's operations through illicit means, further destabilizing the region.

This ongoing Eastern DRC M23 property seizure and AFC M23 asset control Goma by a non-state actor underscores the fragility of governance and the severe risks faced by individuals with assets in conflict-affected areas. The report from September 5, 2026, serves as a critical indicator of the evolving tactics of armed groups and the persistent challenges to upholding property rights and the rule of law in the face of protracted conflict.

Lawyers and compliance officers should advise clients with assets or business interests in Eastern DRC, particularly Goma, on the heightened risks of property confiscation by non-state armed groups like M23/AFC, and consider strategies for asset protection, dispute resolution, or potential claims for restitution in conflict zones.

Source: Original reporting via RSF