East DRC crisis deepens: AFC/M23 slams diplomatic silence, accuses Kinshasa of peace process sabotage

The political-military movement Allied Forces of Congo/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23) has launched a scathing attack on the international community’s perceived inaction regarding escalating tensions in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In a press briefing held Thursday in Goma, the group’s political coordinator, Corneille Nangaa, accused mediators and partners of complicity with Kinshasa, Félix Tshisekedi‘s administration, over what he termed the deliberate undermining of diplomatic peace efforts.

Speaking to journalists at the group’s headquarters, Nangaa condemned President Tshisekedi’s recent “irresponsible” and “warlike” rhetoric, delivered during a public address in Houston, United States. The president had vowed imminent military action to reclaim territories controlled by the AFC/M23 in the DRC’s volatile eastern regions. The statement came just days after the DRC national football team’s World Cup match against Portugal, where Tshisekedi addressed a gathering of Congolese expatriates.

International community’s silence deemed ‘complicit’ in escalating violence

Nangaa expressed bewilderment at the international community’s failure to respond to ongoing military offensives by government forces in violation of ceasefire agreements and diplomatic commitments. He specifically highlighted the intensifying attacks in the Minembwe Highlands and surrounding areas, where civilian casualties continue to mount.

“In the face of this tragic situation and the resulting calamities, we have a duty—before God, History, and our Nation—to acknowledge the deafening silence of peace mediators and partners, which borders on complicity. The international community possesses detailed information about the realities on the ground, the massive toll of civilian lives lost, and the perpetrators of these crimes,” Nangaa stated.

He further criticized the perceived minimization of the security crisis in Eastern DRC, arguing that Kinshasa’s actions consistently undermine peace efforts under the watch of international observers. “The mediators of the Doha peace talks, diplomatic missions, international agencies, and human rights organizations are fully informed about the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation,” he added.

Peace process deadlock: Accusations of broken promises and unfulfilled commitments

The AFC/M23 coordinator accused President Tshisekedi of repeatedly compromising peace initiatives through military escalation and political maneuvering. He pointed to the continued deployment of additional troops and military reinforcements as evidence of Kinshasa’s lack of sincerity in pursuing a genuine de-escalation process.

• Broken trust: Hundreds of prisoners of war have been released by the AFC/M23 as a confidence-building measure, yet Kinshasa has failed to reciprocate with corresponding commitments.
• Failed agreements: Multiple peace agreements, including the Washington Accords and the Doha Process, have yet to yield tangible results on the ground despite years of negotiations.
• Humanitarian crisis: The ongoing conflict has displaced tens of thousands, with civilian targets increasingly caught in the crossfire of military operations.

Calls for urgent action and accountability

Nangaa urged the international community to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete steps to hold all parties accountable for violations of peace agreements. “The suffering of civilians in Eastern Congo cannot be treated as a peripheral tragedy occurring over 2,000 kilometers from Kinshasa,” he emphasized. “Every human life deserves equal protection and consideration.”

The AFC/M23’s accusations come at a critical juncture, as diplomatic efforts to broker a lasting ceasefire have stalled. The movement, which has been active in the region for years, continues to assert its right to self-defense amid what it describes as unrelenting aggression by government forces.

The escalating tensions underscore the urgent need for renewed international mediation and a recommitment to the principles of dialogue and reconciliation in Eastern DRC.

Leaders of the AFC/M23 movement engage in discussions with MONUSCO representatives in Goma, North Kivu.