East DRC: AFC/M23 denounces international silence as Kinshasa ‘sabotages’ peace efforts
Goma, North Kivu — The Congolese armed group AFC/M23 has sharply criticized the international community’s silence regarding what it calls Kinshasa’s ‘sabotage’ of peace initiatives in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The accusation comes amid escalating tensions after President Félix Tshisekedi’s recent remarks in Houston, where he reiterated plans for a military offensive to reclaim rebel-held territories.
Tshisekedi’s ‘irresponsible’ rhetoric fuels regional instability
In a press conference held Thursday in Goma, AFC/M23’s political coordinator, Corneille Nangaa, condemned President Tshisekedi’s ‘irresponsible’ and ‘warlike’ speech delivered during a meeting with Congolese diaspora in Houston. The president’s statements, made following the DRC-Portugal World Cup match, included threats to retake areas under AFC/M23 control through military force.
Nangaa stated that the international community’s silence in the face of Kinshasa’s actions amounts to complicity, particularly as peace mediators and diplomatic partners are allegedly aware of escalating military operations by government forces that violate existing ceasefire agreements and diplomatic engagements aimed at de-escalation.
A call to action against ‘assault on peace’
“Faced with this dire situation and the resulting humanitarian catastrophe, we must, before God, history, and our nation, acknowledge this deafening silence from peace mediators and partners, which borders on complicity. The international community possesses detailed information about the ground realities, massive civilian casualties, and the perpetrators of these crimes,” Nangaa declared.
The AFC/M23 leader accused the Doha peace talks mediators, diplomatic missions, international agencies, and human rights organizations of being informed about the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in the region, particularly in the Minembwe Highlands. He emphasized that this lack of action reinforces impunity and encourages continued violence.
Diplomatic paralysis amid military escalation
Nangaa also criticized what he described as a persistent downplaying of the security crisis in eastern DRC, arguing that President Tshisekedi continues to undermine peace efforts under the watch of international partners. He highlighted what he termed ‘numerous obstacles, deceptions, and manipulations’ in Kinshasa’s approach to peace negotiations.
“We refuse to accept that the suffering of eastern Congo’s populations be treated as a peripheral tragedy occurring more than 2,000 kilometers from Kinshasa. Every human life deserves equal protection and consideration. We call on all stakeholders to recognize the obstacles, ruses, and intrigues within President Tshisekedi’s administration and among international partners that gravely undermine peace efforts in the DRC,” Nangaa emphasized.
The AFC/M23 coordinator condemned the ongoing military buildup and deployment of additional forces, stating that these actions directly contradict sincere de-escalation efforts. He pointed out that while AFC/M23 has released hundreds of prisoners of war as a confidence-building measure, Kinshasa has failed to reciprocate with any tangible commitments.
Peace agreements remain unfulfilled on the ground
This latest verbal confrontation follows diplomatic initiatives such as the Washington Accords and the Doha Process, both aimed at establishing a durable ceasefire and relaunching dialogue between conflict parties in eastern DRC. However, these efforts have yet to yield concrete results, as hostilities between rebels and government forces continue unabated.
Nationally, regionally, and internationally, calls persist for all stakeholders to honor their commitments under peace frameworks. Yet, these appeals have so far failed to translate into meaningful action. The persistent gap between diplomatic progress and ground realities continues to hinder efforts to bring lasting peace to the region as each party interprets agreement terms through its own lens, rendering implementation increasingly uncertain.
Clément Muamba
