The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) have appointed General Major Nyembo Abdallah as the new commander of the 3rd Military Region, replacing Lt. General Pacifique Masunzu, who was recently arrested and transferred to Kinshasa.The 3rd Military Region is one of the most strategic zones for DRC’s security architecture, covering the provinces of Maniema, North Kivu, South Kivu, Bas-Uélé, Tshopo, Haut-Uélé, and Ituri areas at the center of long-standing insecurity and armed group activity in the eastern part of the country.

Lt. Gen. Masunzu was reportedly accused of failing to effectively oversee operations in the region, largely due to spending extended periods in Kinshasa, which sources say weakened his leadership. Security officials indicate that he was apprehended in Kisangani on November 3, shortly after a visit by the Chief of General Staff of FARDC to the region.

According to reports by actualite.cd, Gen. Maj. Nyembo Abdallah is not new to high-intensity military operations in eastern DRC. On May 22, 2025, he was appointed commander of the Sukola 1 operations in Grand Nord and the Front Nord in North Kivu. For the past three years, he has led military operations in Ituri, gaining significant experience in counterinsurgency against various armed groups.

Gen. Nyembo has also served as the deputy commander in charge of operations and intelligence within Sukola 1, a role that provided him with deep operational knowledge of the security dynamics in North Kivu and the Beni–Lubero axis one of the most volatile areas in the region.

His appointment comes at a critical time. The M23 rebellion continues to expand its control, now occupying large parts of Lubero territory and advancing toward Beni and even areas near Kisangani. This rapid expansion places intense pressure on FARDC and the new leadership of the 3rd Military Region.

Gen. Nyembo’s prior coordination with the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) is also seen as an advantage, given the shared security concerns between DRC and Uganda, especially regarding armed groups operating across their borders.Under his leadership, FARDC is expected to strengthen its defensive posture, restore operational discipline, and regain public confidence in communities that have endured instability for decades. Analysts believe that Gen. Nyembo’s experience in eastern DRC’s toughest theatres of conflict could be instrumental in reshaping FARDC’s military strategy at a time when regional threats continue to escalate.