Freddy Kaniki, one of the leaders of the AFC/M23 movement, has criticised inconsistent international response to the ongoing conflict in eastern DR Congo, arguing that bias and double standards have failed to frustrated efforts to reach lasting peace.
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"The world is watching—yet too often remains silent. This silence reflects bias and, at times, troubling double standards,” Kaniki said a post on X on Saturday, March 21.
The comments by the AFC/M23 deputy coordinator for economic affairs come amid continued fighting in eastern DR Congo, where Congolese government forces (FARDC), and their coalition of Burundian troops, mercenaries, the Kinshasa-backed FDLR militia, Wazalendo groups have escalated the conflict with drone and artillery attacks on civilian populations in South and North Kivu provinces.
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Kaniki accused President Felix Tshisekedi of escalating the conflict in spite of peace efforts. "The Tshisekedi government has intensified its tactics. The use of drones to target leadership figures marks a serious escalation,” he said.
In Feburuary, he said, a targeted strike killed our military spokesperson, Lt Col Willy Ngoma, only days after agreement to the Luanda ceasefire.
He also pointed to the March 11 drone strike in Goma, which killed three civilians including a French humanitarian worker with UNICEF. He said the attack on Goma, the first major incident since AFC/M23 captured the city in early 2025, "deliberately targeted senior AFC/M23 leadership.”
"Despite these incidents, the international response has remained limited, cautious, and non-committal,” he said.
"These events are not isolated. Drone strikes and mortar attacks continue to affect populated areas across Masisi, Mushaki, Rubaya, and Minembwe.”
He claimed that certain communities have been disproportionately affected by the violence, particularly the Banyamulenge.
"These operations disproportionately impact Banyamulenge communities—civilian populations that had begun to experience relative stability and coexistence under our protection,” he added.
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Despite multiple ceasefire violations, he said the international community has remained vague about the perpetrators.
"The international response has largely consisted of general statements such as: ‘Parties should avoid using drones in populated areas.’ There has been: No clear attribution of responsibility, no accountability, no meaningful consequences. This ambiguity risks further escalation,” he stated.
Kaniki further raised concerns about what he sees as unequal treatment of different actors in the conflict, particularly in how actions are judged and condemned.
"When we act in self-defense—targeting military infrastructure such as drone command centers (e.g., Kisangani airport) while taking measures to avoid civilian harm—we face condemnation and threats of international prosecution,” he said.
"In contrast, indiscriminate actions attributed to FARDC forces often generate only generalized concern, without clear attribution. This imbalance raises serious concerns about consistency and impartiality in international responses,” he added.
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Turning to developments in Uvira, Kaniki said the group’s intervention there was aimed at addressing a systematic persecution. "In December 2025, we entered Uvira to halt the systematic persecution of Banyamulenge civilians, who had been denied access to markets, water, and basic services,” he said.
He argued that subsequent events following their withdrawal did not receive adequate international attention.
"International attention focused primarily on our ‘capture’ of the city. However, following our withdrawal in January 2026, churches, schools, and homes were destroyed. Civilians identified as Tutsi were abducted and killed. Thousands were displaced. Nearly 1,000 Banyamulenge fled to Kamanyola seeking protection,” he stated.
Kaniki argued that insufficient attention was given to the underlying ethnic violence.
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Kaniki further pointed to the existing diplomatic initiatives as a potential pathway to de-escalation, while cautioning that their success depends on genuine commitment from all sides.
"The next phase of the Doha process could offer a viable path forward—but only if a genuine and respected ceasefire is implemented,” he said.
"At present, military escalation continues while narratives emerge that deny or minimize the systematic targeting of Tutsi and Banyamulenge populations,” he added.
Kaniki's personal experience
He also opened up about his motivation to join the rebellion that fights for the rights of marginalised Congolese communities, who have been persecuted for three decades.
"Thirty years ago, on September 22, 1996, my father and three brothers were killed by government forces and allied militias because of their identity,” he said.
"I built a life in the United States—education, career, and stability—but chose to return because silence, once again, was not an option.”
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He warned against recurring cycles of violence and inaction, while reaffirming the group’s stance.
"We cannot allow another generation to be destroyed by the same patterns of violence and denial,” Kaniki said.
"In the face of systematic violence, political denial, international silence, defending our people becomes a necessity—not a choice.
"We mourn every innocent life lost. At the same time, we will not surrender dignity. We will not accept erasure. We stand for survival, justice, a credible and lasting peace. No more genocide, no more silence.”