The AFC/M23 rebel group has used a small Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to demonstrate its governing capabilities, mounting a response largely independent of the central government in Kinshasa and supported in part by neighbouring Rwanda.
According to response teams and official documents reviewed by Reuters, the outbreak response has highlighted how the rebels have expanded parallel administrative structures in territories captured during their offensive in early 2025. However, analysts warn that the country's fragmented public health response could complicate efforts to contain the disease if infections increase.
Reuters reported that it reviewed Health Ministry documents and interviewed eight people involved in the Ebola response in rebel-controlled areas, including an AFC/M23 official, members of the technical coordination committee and aid workers who requested anonymity.
AFC/M23 controls large parts of North and South Kivu provinces, including the cities of Goma and Bukavu, following a rapid military advance earlier this year. The United Nations and several Western governments have accused Rwanda of backing the group, allegations Kigali has repeatedly denied.
Health Ministry and World Health Organization data show that four Ebola cases were recorded in rebel-held territory after the outbreak was declared on 15 May—one in Goma and three near Bukavu.
Late last month, AFC/M23 announced that the outbreak had ended in areas under its control after 21 consecutive days without any new infections.
The group's deputy Ebola response coordinator, Freddy Kaniki, said approximately 400 people who had been in contact with confirmed cases were monitored, with 98% receiving daily follow-up. Internal response documents indicated that more than 200 samples had been tested in North Kivu by mid-June.
By comparison, the outbreak has continued to spread in government-controlled parts of the DRC, with official figures released over the weekend showing 1,873 infections and 672 deaths.
The rebel group has also shared videos on social media showing its officials inspecting laboratories, meeting healthcare workers and overseeing response operations in an apparent effort to project itself as a functioning administration.
The Congolese Health Ministry did not respond to requests for comment.
Kaniki acknowledged that government-controlled regions were dealing with a far larger outbreak, but argued that the rebel administration had benefited from faster isolation of cases, close monitoring of contacts and stricter containment measures.
Authorities in rebel-held areas suspended bus services to government-controlled regions and imposed quarantine measures for individuals considered at risk of exposure.
One journalist told Reuters he and several colleagues were placed in mandatory 15-day isolation after returning from Ituri to an AFC/M23-controlled area.
Despite the reported success, analysts remain cautious about drawing conclusions.
Reagan Miviri, a researcher at the Kinshasa-based Ebuteli Institute, said the rebels appeared eager to demonstrate that they could manage a public health crisis more effectively than the national government.
However, he noted that with only four confirmed cases in rebel-held territory, the response had not yet faced the scale of challenges experienced elsewhere in the country.
Health services in areas controlled by AFC/M23 are now managed through separate administrative structures responsible for coordinating disease surveillance, healthcare facilities and emergency response teams.
Coordination with the central government has reportedly been limited to sharing surveillance data and laboratory testing.
With little assistance from Kinshasa, AFC/M23 turned to neighbouring Rwanda for medical supplies and technical support.
According to response committee members and aid workers, Rwanda deployed six public health specialists to Goma, including experts in laboratory services, surveillance, logistics and safe burial procedures.
Response documents reviewed by Reuters indicate that the Rwanda Biomedical Center supplied medical materials and medicines valued at nearly $7,000, while Gisenyi Hospital provided protective equipment and other supplies worth more than $85,000.
Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo said Kigali's priority was strengthening regional surveillance and preparedness, noting that infectious diseases do not recognise national borders.
Despite the support, response teams continue to face significant challenges.
Documents highlighted shortages of personal protective equipment, infection prevention kits, fuel, vehicles and laboratory testing materials. Goma's laboratory reportedly had only two extraction kits available by mid-June, limiting testing capacity.
The continued closure of Goma International Airport and the shutdown of banking services in rebel-controlled areas have also complicated the movement of personnel, equipment and funding.
Analysts warn that while the current outbreak remains relatively small in rebel-held territory, a wider spread into conflict-affected frontline areas could place severe strain on the already fragmented response system.