AFC/M23 condemns Kinshasa attacks days before peace talks

The AFC/M23 movement has accused the Congolese government forces of carrying out fresh attacks in eastern DR Congo, just days ahead of a new round of peace talks scheduled for April 14 in Geneva. In a statement shared on Thursday, April 9, AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said coalition forces who include the Burundian forces, FDLR, mercenaries, Wazalendo and other local militias, conducted a drone strike on densely populated civilian areas in North Kivu. ALSO READ: AFC/M23-DR Congo peace talks moved to Switzerland amid Middle East conflict “On Wednesday, April 8, at 4:00 p.m., a combat drone belonging to the coalition forces of the Kinshasa regime struck the densely populated area of Nyabyondo, in the Masisi territory,” Kanyuka stated. He added that the attack caused significant material damage, destroyed several homes, and left civilians distress. ALSO READ: AFC/M23 deputy head condemns bias, double standards over DR Congo crisis The movement said it continues to document the repeated violations of a ceasefire agreed in October last year, while also criticizing Kinshasa’s “obstinate and unacceptable refusal” to release prisoners held arbitrarily in detention facilities across the country. The latest accusations emerge amid preparations for renewed negotiations between the two sides, which were relocated from Doha to Geneva due to ongoing war in the Middle East. The talks, mediated by Qatar since April 2025, have produced a series of agreements, including a declaration of principles signed on July 19, the ceasefire monitoring deal on October 14, and a broader peace framework concluded on November 15. However, fighting has persisted in parts of eastern DR Congo despite these milestones. ALSO READ: Security Council discusses DR Congo conflict after Goma drone attack The upcoming session will focus on humanitarian access in conflict-affected areas, one of eight protocols agreed upon during earlier discussions. The two agreed protocols, the ceasefire and the release of prisoners, were intended as basic confidence-building measures, however, they remain unfulfilled, with the Congolese government refusing to release detainees and fighting continuing on the ground. The movement said it has upheld its commitments under the ceasefire and prisoner release provisions, but accused the Congolese government of failing to reciprocate.

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AFC/M23 condemns Kinshasa attacks days before peace talks