Afc/m23 accuses mediators of complicity as Kinshasa sabotages peace efforts in eastern drc

On Thursday, the AFC/M23, through its political coordinator Corneille Nangaa, condemned what it called President Félix Tshisekedi’s “irresponsible” and “warmongering” speech delivered in Houston, United States, before a group of Congolese after the DRC-Portugal World Cup match. The Congolese head of state had commented on the security situation in eastern DRC, vowing to soon reclaim areas held by the politico-military group.

During a press briefing in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, Nangaa reaffirmed his movement’s determination to defend itself against threats from Kinshasa. He expressed bewilderment at the international community’s response to Tshisekedi’s stance, arguing that such inaction borders on complicity. He claimed the international community is well aware of the situation on the ground, where government forces are mounting intense attacks in violation of commitments made and ongoing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict.

“In the face of this dire situation and the ensuing calamities, we have a duty before God, History, and the Nation to acknowledge this deafening silence from the mediators and peace process partners, which borders on complicity. Especially since the international community possesses detailed information about the reality on the ground, the heavy toll on civilians, and the perpetrators of these crimes,” Nangaa charged.

He continued:

“The mediators of the Doha peace talks, diplomatic missions, international agencies, and human rights groups are aware of the ongoing deterioration of security and humanitarian conditions across the region, especially in the Minembwe Highlands. This lack of action only strengthens impunity and encourages continued violence.”

Nangaa also criticized what he perceives as a tendency to downplay the security situation in eastern DRC. He stated that Félix Tshisekedi repeatedly undermines peace efforts, all while the DRC’s partners watch helplessly.

“We refuse to let the suffering of eastern Congolese be dismissed as a peripheral tragedy occurring, as they often claim, more than 2,000 kilometers from Kinshasa. Every human life deserves equal protection and consideration. We draw everyone’s attention to the many obstacles, deceptions, manipulations, and intrigues by Mr. Félix Tshisekedi and his international partners, which continue to seriously undermine peace efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo,” lamented the political coordinator of the movement.

He added:

“The reinforcement of military positions and the continuous deployment of new forces on the ground are antithetical to a genuine de-escalation process. Many commitments made within the peace process remain unfulfilled. While the AFC/M23 has released several hundred prisoners of war as a confidence-building measure, the reciprocal commitments expected from the Kinshasa regime have not been implemented at all.”

This latest verbal exchange between Kinshasa, represented by Félix Tshisekedi, and the Rwandan-backed AFC/M23 rebellion comes amid diplomatic initiatives such as the Washington accords and the Doha process, aimed at establishing a lasting ceasefire and reviving dialogue among parties to the conflict that has plagued eastern DRC for years. However, these efforts have yet to yield concrete results on the ground, where hostilities between the rebels and government forces continue.

In response, voices at national, regional, and international levels continue to urge all parties to honor commitments made under the peace initiatives. Yet these appeals have so far had little effect. Bridging the persistent gap between ground realities and diplomatic progress on paper remains elusive. Each side continues to interpret the provisions of the accords in its own way, making implementation increasingly uncertain.