Eastern DRC: AFC/M23 condemns mediators’ silence, accusing them of complicity in Kinshasa’s diplomatic sabotage

The Allied Forces of Congo (AFC) allied with the March 23 Movement (M23) has launched a scathing attack on international mediators and partners involved in the peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Through its political coordinator, Corneille Nangaa, the movement accused these actors of “deafening silence” that borders on “complicity” in what it describes as Kinshasa’s systematic sabotage of diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC.

Speaking at a press conference held Thursday in Goma, capital of North Kivu province, Nangaa expressed outrage over President Félix Tshisekedi’s recent statements in Houston, USA, where he vowed imminent military reconquest of territories controlled by the AFC/M23 following the DRC-Portugal World Cup match. The political coordinator condemned these declarations as “irresponsible” and “warlike rhetoric”, arguing that such bellicose posturing directly contradicts ongoing peace negotiations, particularly the Washington and Doha processes.

International community’s inaction fuels impunity and escalation

Nangaa emphasized that international mediators, diplomatic missions, and human rights organizations possess detailed information about the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in eastern DRC, particularly in the Minembwe Highlands. Despite this awareness, the AFC/M23 leader lamented the absence of concrete action from these actors, stating:

“Faced with this tragic situation and the resulting calamities, we have a responsibility before God, History, and the Nation to acknowledge this deafening silence from peace process mediators and partners, which borders on complicity. Especially since the international community has detailed information about ground realities, the massive civilian death tolls, and the perpetrators of these crimes.”

The movement’s coordinator accused Kinshasa of consistently undermining peace efforts through military escalation and failure to honor reciprocal commitments made during negotiations. While AFC/M23 has released hundreds of prisoners of war as a confidence-building measure, Nangaa pointed out that Kinshasa has failed to implement corresponding reciprocal actions as agreed in peace accords.

Diplomatic paralysis amid escalating violence

This latest verbal confrontation between Kinshasa and AFC/M23 occurs against a backdrop of intensified hostilities in eastern DRC. Despite multiple diplomatic initiatives—including the Washington and Doha agreements—aimed at establishing a durable ceasefire and relaunching dialogue between conflict parties, violence continues unabated on the ground. Each party appears to interpret peace accord provisions according to their own reading, rendering implementation increasingly uncertain.

The AFC/M23 leadership further criticized what it perceives as a tendency to minimize the security crisis in eastern DRC, arguing that Kinshasa’s actions treat the suffering of eastern Congolese populations as a peripheral tragedy. Nangaa stressed that every human life deserves equal protection and consideration, regardless of geographical distance from the capital.

Military buildup contradicts peace process

Nangaa highlighted the contradiction between ongoing military deployments and the stated goals of peaceful resolution. The political coordinator warned that the continuous reinforcement of military positions on the ground runs counter to sincere de-escalation efforts, further complicating prospects for lasting peace in the region.

As diplomatic paralysis persists, civilians in eastern DRC continue to bear the brunt of escalating violence, with international calls for respect of peace agreement commitments thus far yielding little tangible effect on the ground.