• Security
• Wednesday, June 24, 2026 – 21:30

The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) have forcefully rejected recent accusations from the AFC/M23 coalition regarding the security situation in eastern DRC and alleged persecution of the Banyamulenge Tutsi community.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday, June 22, 2026, and signed by Lieutenant-Colonel Mak Hazukay Mongba, interim FARDC spokesperson, the Congolese army accused the rebel movement of orchestrating a “campaign of propaganda and disinformation” designed to undermine state institutions and divert attention from the coalition’s responsibilities in the ongoing war of aggression against the DRC.

According to the FARDC, allegations of massacres, exterminations or persecution targeting specific Congolese communities are “completely unfounded.” The military asserts these accusations are meant to mask the coalition’s own violations of international humanitarian law and human rights, which have been extensively documented by UN reports and human rights organizations.

Allegations deemed baseless

“The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo categorically reject allegations of purported massacres, exterminations or persecution directed against any Congolese community. These claims are entirely baseless. They emerge at a time when multiple United Nations reports and international human rights organizations have documented grave violations attributed to the RDF-AFC/M23 coalition, including summary executions, civilian assassinations, kidnappings, forced recruitment, sexual violence, forced population displacements and other serious violations of international humanitarian law,” the statement read.

The FARDC condemned what they described as “false and cynical” accusations aimed at distorting reality and evading the coalition’s responsibilities. They also warned against attempts by the RDF-AFC/M23 to exploit ethnic and linguistic identities to sow division among Congolese citizens.

Warning against identity-based manipulation

“This campaign seeks to artificially pit populations in eastern DRC against their compatriots in other provinces, with the aim of weakening national cohesion and serving the political and military objectives of this coalition. The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo emphasize that they are a national, republican and inclusive army, composed of Congolese men and women from all provinces of the country,” the FARDC stated.

The military underscored that the primary victims of the war of aggression waged by the RDF-AFC/M23 coalition remain the Congolese populations in eastern provinces. For years, these communities have endured the direct consequences of insecurity, forced displacements, abuses and human rights violations linked to the coalition’s activities.

The FARDC stressed that these suffering must not be instrumentalized for disinformation campaigns or to pit communities against each other. The army reiterated its constitutional mission to protect these populations, ensure their security and preserve national territorial integrity through ongoing operations.

“The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo warn against any campaign of propaganda, disinformation or incitement to hatred that could compromise national cohesion, population security and peace restoration efforts in affected areas,” the statement concluded.

This latest FARDC response comes amid persistent tensions between Kinshasa and the AFC/M23 coalition, as hostilities continue in eastern DRC. On June 18, coalition leaders held a press conference in Goma, accusing the Congolese government of repeated ceasefire violations and highlighting a dire humanitarian situation in several localities across South Kivu’s highlands.

The AFC/M23 coordinator, Corneille Nangaa, notably accused President Félix Tshisekedi’s regime of targeting the Banyamulenge community through drone strikes, alleging an intent to deny their Congolese identity.