In an unusually strict yet revealing move to assert firm control over its ranks, the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) has officially imposed a total ban on the consumption of alcoholic beverages by all its members  including commanders, officers, soldiers, and police personnel.

The new disciplinary directive, announced through an official communiqué, marks a significant shift in the internal management of the armed movement. The group aims to strengthen cohesion, operational efficiency, and its public image through tighter discipline.

The statement leaves no room for ambiguity: anyone found drinking alcohol in a bar, hotel, or nightclub before, during, or after duty hours will face severe sanctions. According to the leadership, any consumption of alcohol must be limited strictly to one’s private residence, away from public spaces and completely separated from all military or police activities.

This hardline stance on discipline is far from trivial. It reflects the movement’s broader strategy to normalize and professionalize its forces amid a volatile security environment, where even minor lapses in command could have serious consequences.

By eliminating behaviors that could lead to disorder, indiscipline, or weakened unity, AFC/M23 seeks to reinforce an undisputed command hierarchy. The measure underscores a clear intent to centralize authority and instill unwavering obedience across its ranks  turning every member into a disciplined actor fully aware of their responsibilities.

In this context, discipline emerges as a key pillar of internal legitimacy an invisible yet powerful weapon meant to cement cohesion and prevent any form of dissent or slackness that might undermine the group’s strategic objectives.

Interestingly, this disciplined posture stands in sharp contrast to the perceived disorganization within the ruling power in Kinshasa. By elevating discipline and control as core operational principles, AFC/M23 seeks to project itself not only as a capable military force but also as a symbol of structured governance  filling the void left by a central authority increasingly seen as fragile, divided, and incoherent.

Behind this seemingly administrative measure lies a deeper ambition: to build a war-ready force governed by strict rules, where discipline is not merely a moral expectation but a strategic necessity for survival and credibility.