The Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) rebel movement has welcomed the June 27 peace agreement between Rwanda and DR Congo but warned that it addresses only a small fraction of the root causes of the ongoing conflict. ALSO READ: Details of Rwanda-DR Congo peace agreement signed in Washington In a statement issued on June 30, on DR Congo's independence anniversary, AFC/M23 Coordinator Corneille Nangaa described the US-brokered deal between the two neighbouring countries as a limited but positive development. ALSO READ: Rwanda-DR Congo peace deal: Dismantling FDLR first thing to do – Nduhungirehe “The agreement signed in Washington between Rwanda and the illegitimate and corrupt regime in Kinshasa constitutes a step, certainly limited, but useful,” Nangaa said. ‘Conflict between Kigali and Kinshasa an unacceptable deception’ “It should be noted that this agreement only covers a tiny part of the real causes of the conflict in DR Congo, lying to both national and international opinion that there is no crisis in DR Congo and that it is simply a conflict between Kigali and Kinshasa is an unacceptable deception.” ALSO READ: AFC/M23 leader lists four reasons why movement is fighting Tshisekedi govt Nangaa stressed that the Qatar-hosted talks involving AFC/M23 are critical to complementing the peace deal. His view is shared by political observers who emphasized that the ongoingnegotiations in Qatar are essential to the success of the agreement. ‘Intransigence of the Kinshasa regime’ “The movement [AFC/M23] welcomes the Doha process, which imposes the Kinshasa regime to direct discussions with the movement to address the real causes of the Congolese crisis,” he said. “We reaffirm our sincere, constant and good faith commitment to this process,” he added, while expressing concern over Kinshasa’s conduct. “Unfortunately, these talks with Kinshasa are hampered by the intransigence of the Kinshasa regime which systematically torpedoes them,” Nangaa said. “The killings and massacres of the Banyamulenge in the South Kivu Highlands, the Hema in Ituri as well as the repetitive attacks by Wazalendo against civilian populations constitute proof of bad faith which endangers collective stabilization efforts and aggravates the humanitarian crisis.” According to him, the AFC/M23’s legitimate demands can only be addressed through an inclusive national dialogue that confronts the core drivers of instability. He reiterated ills resulting from Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi’s “illegitimacy,” the Kinshasa regime’s excesses of tribalism, hate speech, embezzlement of public funds, policy of stigmatization, and the project to change the Constitution. Nangaa reiterated the movement’s unwavering commitment to peace in DR Congo, referencing several actions undertaken to de-escalate tensions and foster trust. He cited the movement’s unilateral ceasefire, repositioning of forces, active engagement in the Doha talks, and the secure transfer of 1,359 defeated Congolese troops and their families from rebel-controlled zones in eastern DR Congo. He also mentioned the agreement on repatriating SAMIRDC forces, the voluntary return of 1,871 FDLR dependents in coordination with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, close collaboration with humanitarian organizations, and the integration or demobilization of select FARDC and Wazalendo elements. “These actions reflect a choice for peace. We have always said it: no military solution can sustainably resolve the Congolese crisis. Each military offensive by the Kinshasa regime is a headlong rush, its persistent refusal to dialogue is a betrayal for our future generations.”
