The AFC/M23 movement has accused the Congolese government and its military partners of causing civilian casualties and triggering mass displacement in South Kivu Province, despite the recent signing of a ceasefire agreement.
In a statement issued on Friday, November 21, the group’s spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, said the attacks were carried out by a coalition that includes Congolese government troops, Burundian forces, foreign mercenaries, the FDLR—described as a Rwandan genocidal militia—along with Mai-Mai and Wazalendo armed groups, as well as the CNRD, another militia faction that broke away from the Kinshasa-backed FDLR in 2016.
Kanyuka claimed that these forces “launched a broad offensive across all front lines in South Kivu, including in densely populated zones” beginning Wednesday, November 19.
‘Airstrikes and heavy weapons killing civilians’
He stated that fighter jets, attack drones, and heavy artillery were being deployed, resulting in civilian deaths and large-scale displacement.
The renewed fighting comes just days after the movement signed a Peace Framework Agreement with the Congolese government in Doha, Qatar, on November 15. The deal outlines key principles meant to guide efforts to reduce tensions, even as reports of ongoing strikes on civilian areas continued.
According to the movement, these actions represent “a clear violation of the Peace Framework by the Kinshasa regime.” AFC/M23 reiterated that it remains committed to protecting civilian populations.
Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to stabilize eastern DR Congo—particularly the Qatar-led process bringing both sides back to the negotiating table to address underlying drivers of the conflict—attacks on civilians and on the movement’s positions have not ceased.
The Qatar initiative works in parallel with the Rwanda–DR Congo agreement facilitated by Washington on June 27, which emphasizes dismantling the FDLR. Progress in neutralizing this militia is viewed as essential for Rwanda to lift its defensive posture against threats coming from Congolese territory. Rwanda has repeatedly stressed that its security measures will stay in place until concrete steps are taken to eliminate the FDLR.
However, implementation of peace initiatives has been sluggish, largely due to what observers describe as insufficient political will within the Congolese government. Kinshasa and its allies—including Burundian forces and the FDLR—continue to conduct military operations in eastern DR Congo, intensifying the humanitarian crisis.
The situation is particularly alarming in remote parts of South Kivu Province, where Burundian troops—estimated at six to seven battalions—are reportedly entrenched. These forces are accused of recruiting locally, controlling the Minembwe highlands, and imposing a siege on the Banyamulenge community.
