President Tshisekedi leads burial of fallen generals amid M23 conflict

By The Inspirer.

KINSHASA – President Félix Tshisekedi on Monday, September 1, 2025, presided over the burial of Major General Peter Cirimwami Nkuba, former Governor of North Kivu, and Colonel Alexis Rugabisha, both killed earlier this year during clashes with M23 rebels.

General Cirimwami was killed on January 24 in Sake, North Kivu, as Congolese forces engaged in heavy fighting with the rebels. Just days after his death, M23 fighters captured Goma. Colonel Rugabisha was killed on February 1 in Nyabibwe, South Kivu, while resisting rebel advances.

Both officers were posthumously promoted—Cirimwami to Lieutenant General and Rugabisha to Brigadier General—and inducted into the national heroes’ order, Héros nationaux Kabila-Lumumba.

Addressing mourners, Tshisekedi described Cirimwami as a soldier who “lived and died fulfilling the ultimate duty,” and praised Rugabisha for his discipline and courage. He also pledged to bring to justice those responsible for crimes against the Congolese people.

The soldiers were laid to rest at Repos du Soldat, a newly inaugurated military cemetery in N’sele, Kinshasa.