Émile Ilunga Kalambo is a politician and former leader of the Rally for Congolese Democracy–Goma (RDC-Goma) rebel movement.
The RCD, operating in the east of the DRC, was a major factor in launching the Second Congo War (1998-2003), a rebellion against the government of Laurent-Désiré Kabila.
Dr. Emile Ilunga was named leader of the mainstream Rwanda-backed faction known as the RCD-Goma from its base in the town of Goma.
[1] Ilunga is a medical doctor from Katanga.
His faction of the RCD was dominated by Rwanda, which wanted to eliminate hostile Interahamwe militia forces that it believed Laurent Kabila was supporting.