Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo – The political wing of the Allied Forces of Congo/Movement 23 March (AFC/M23) has sharply criticized what it calls the dangerous and bellicose rhetoric of President Félix Tshisekedi, delivered during a recent address in Houston, United States, to a segment of the Congolese diaspora following the DRC-Portugal World Cup match.
The AFC/M23 leadership, represented by its political coordinator Corneille Nangaa, issued a statement from Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, condemning the President’s remarks regarding the security situation in eastern DRC. Nangaa emphasized the movement’s commitment to self-defense amid escalating threats from Kinshasa, while questioning the international community’s failure to respond to what he described as clear violations of diplomatic agreements.
International silence seen as complicity
The AFC/M23 statement highlighted what it perceives as a shocking silence from peace mediators and international partners, accusing them of tacit complicity in Kinshasa’s alleged sabotage of diplomatic efforts. According to Nangaa, the international community possesses detailed information about the deteriorating security and humanitarian crisis in the region, particularly in areas like Minembwe, yet has taken no meaningful action.
“Faced with this dire situation, we must, before God, history, and our nation, acknowledge the deafening silence of the mediation and peace partners, which borders on complicity. The international community has access to comprehensive data on civilian casualties and the perpetrators of these crimes, yet chooses to remain passive,” Nangaa declared.
He further criticized the minimization of eastern DRC’s security challenges, arguing that President Tshisekedi’s rhetoric continues to undermine peace efforts while international partners watch helplessly.
“We refuse to accept that the suffering of the Congolese people in the East is treated as a peripheral tragedy, as Kinshasa often suggests. Every life deserves equal protection and consideration. The numerous obstacles, deceptions, and manipulations by President Tshisekedi and his international allies gravely compromise peace efforts in the DRC,” Nangaa asserted.
Military escalation contradicts peace pledges
The AFC/M23 leadership also condemned the relentless military buildup in the region, warning that such actions undermine sincere efforts toward de-escalation. Despite the movement’s release of hundreds of prisoners of war as a confidence-building measure, Nangaa noted that Kinshasa has failed to reciprocate with tangible commitments.
This latest exchange between Kinshasa and the AFC/M23, which Rwanda is widely believed to support, comes amid ongoing diplomatic initiatives such as the Washington agreements and the Doha peace process. These efforts aim to establish a durable ceasefire and revive dialogue among conflict stakeholders in eastern DRC. However, tangible progress on the ground remains elusive, with hostilities continuing between rebel forces and government troops.
Calls for adherence to peace commitments have echoed at national, regional, and international levels, yet little progress has been made in bridging the gap between diplomatic agreements and ground realities. Each party continues to interpret the terms of these accords differently, further complicating their implementation.
