But there were doubts about the presence of a "common touch" and the ability to control rebellion in the ranks.
It has also become a stage for state control — and rebellion against it.
That's not to say they'll never indulge, but they won't be careening wildly out of control in rebellion against the food at home -- unless the food at home is terrible.
The UN report says former Congolese General Bosco Ntaganda controls the rebellion on the ground and M23 leader Col Sultani Makenga is in charge of co-ordination with allied groups.
But the armed groups that have seized control of the rebellion, now contaminated with Al Qaeda fighters and corrupted by Saudi money, have repelled many people.
In recent weeks, the United States is known to have privately sent Mr. Maskhadov a blunt message to renounce the extremists who have seized control of the rebellion and, Russia alleges, his political structure, or face American isolation as well.
Despite the predominant role played by Dagestani insurgents, Chechen militants have remained in control of the rebellion.
But witnesses and residents living in areas freshly under the control of the rebellion said M23 fighters were holding on to their positions.
This autonomy was greatly diminished when the imperial court enacted reforms following the threats to central control like the Rebellion of the Seven States.
"We were able to travel extensively in the northwest part of the country, where there was no government control and the rebellion has been active on and off for the last a couple of years," said Mr. Fall.
