FARDC denies ethnic cleansing claims and warns of rebel identity politics in eastern DRC

The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) have issued a stern rebuttal against allegations made by the AFC/M23 politico-military movement regarding the security situation in the eastern region. The military specifically addressed claims of targeted persecution against the Banyamulenge community, which were voiced during a recent media event in Goma, the capital of Nord-Kivu.

In a formal statement, military officials characterized these accusations as a calculated campaign of propaganda and misinformation. The army asserts that the rebel coalition is attempting to tarnish the reputation of national institutions while distracting the public from its own role in the ongoing aggression against the RDC. Furthermore, the military pointed out that these claims serve to obscure documented reports of human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law attributed to the rebel forces.

According to the FARDC, the narrative of massacres or systematic extermination targeting specific Congolese communities is entirely baseless. The military leadership believes these “cynical” allegations are a smokescreen designed to evade accountability for the conflict’s devastating impact.

Rejection of ethnic manipulation

“The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo categorically dismiss the reports of alleged massacres or persecutions against any Congolese community. These claims lack any factual foundation,” the military stated. They noted that while the rebels spread these rumors, various international bodies and human rights organizations have already compiled evidence of summary executions, civilian abductions, forced recruitment, and sexual violence carried out by the RDF-AFC/M23 coalition.

The FARDC also condemned what they describe as a dangerous attempt to weaponize community identities and linguistic backgrounds. They warned that the rebel coalition is trying to create an artificial divide between the populations in the east and their fellow citizens in other provinces to undermine national unity and advance foreign political and military agendas.

The military emphasized its status as a national and inclusive institution, comprising men and women from every province of the country, dedicated to protecting all citizens regardless of their ethnic background.

Commitment to national sovereignty

The army reminded the public that the primary victims of this war of aggression are the Congolese people living in the eastern provinces. For years, these communities have endured displacement, insecurity, and various atrocities linked to the activities of the AFC/M23 and its allies. The FARDC insisted that the suffering of these citizens must not be exploited for propaganda purposes.

“The FARDC warns against any campaign of disinformation or incitement to hatred that could jeopardize national cohesion and the safety of our people,” the statement continued. The military reaffirmed its commitment to its constitutional mandate: defending territorial integrity and neutralizing any hostile force threatening the sovereignty of the RDC.

This firm stance comes amid heightened tensions between the government and the AFC/M23. Recently, rebel leaders, including Corneille Nangaa, accused the government of violating ceasefire agreements and alleged that military operations involving armed drones were specifically targeting the Banyamulenge community in the Hauts-Plateaux of Sud-Kivu. The FARDC maintains that such rhetoric is merely a tactic to challenge the national identity of certain groups and destabilize the country further.