Kinshasa has been accused of breaching the ceasefire after its coalition forces allegedly launched coordinated attacks on multiple fronts on Wednesday, February 25. In a statement posted on X, AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said the Congolese government had “crossed a new threshold of violence” by carrying out a large-scale offensive using armed drones and heavy artillery. ALSO READ: Kanyuka: Kinshasa's drone strikes continue in violation of ceasefire According to Kanyuka, the attacks targeted both rebel positions and densely populated civilian areas, which he said was a “clear violation of international humanitarian law.” He detailed a series of strikes recorded throughout the morning and afternoon on Wednesday. Attacks were reported in Rutigita, in Minembwe. Coalition forces also allegedly struck Kitazungura in Kalehe territory and further bombardments were reported in Rugezi and surrounding areas in Minembwe. “These deadly attacks cause loss of life, massive displacement of civilian populations and fuel a humanitarian crisis of extreme severity,” Kanyuka wrote. The accusations come a day after AFC/M23’s military spokesperson, Lt Col Willy Ngoma, had been killed in a drone strike. On Tuesday, the group claimed that Congolese army coalition forces launched attacks on several locations in Kalehe territory, also accusing Kinshasa of violating the ceasefire. In a separate post on X, Bertrand Bisimwa, deputy coordinator of AFC/M23, weighed in on Wednesday’s developments, accusing the Congolese government of once again trampling on the ceasefire by launching “a widespread offensive across all front lines and beyond.” ALSO READ: Congolese lawyer questions mediators’ silence amid attacks against Banyamulenge “This is a coordinated and extensive operation which reflects a deliberate choice of the military option,” Bisimwa said. He further expressed concern over the absence of any visible international initiative to halt the alleged offensive. “No public reprimand, no condemnation... No discernible steps appear to have been taken to prevent the risk of escalation,” he wrote, adding that the silence contrasts with swift reactions observed when AFC/M23 responds to attacks in calls self-defense. The group maintains that the reported operations risk escalating the conflict and worsening an already fragile humanitarian situation in eastern DR Congo, where thousands have been displaced by recurring clashes between government forces and armed groups.
