Corneille Nangaa, the political leader of the AFC/M23 movement, has condemned the government in Kinshasa over the deadly drone strike in eastern DR Congo, on Friday, May 8, in Masisi territory, North Kivu, which he says left more than 30 civilians dead. ALSO READ: AFC/M23 leader Corneille Nangaa states four reasons why his movement is fighting Tshisekedi govt In a statement issued on Saturday, May 9, Nangaa said civilians were killed in a deliberate bombardment on populated areas in Mushake, accusing forces aligned with the government of President Felix Tshisekedi of responsibility. He noted that the attack was carried out by a coalition of government forces and allied armed groups, including the FARDC, Burundian troops, the FDLR and Wazalendo militias, as well as the Colombian and American mercenaries. “These criminal acts, which caused more than 30 deaths and many injuries, were perpetrated by the illegitimate regime in Kinshasa, backed by its allies in the Burundian army, Colombian and American mercenaries, the FDLR, the Wazalendo, and other negative forces on its payroll,” Nangaa said. ALSO READ: Veteran US diplomat urges action on Tutsi persecution in DR Congo He added that the attacks form part of repeated violations of peace commitments by Kinshasa, particularly in North and South Kivu provinces, where civilian populations continue to be affected by ongoing military operations. Nangaa also criticised the United States for what he called a vague and non-committal response to the attack, despite its role as a key international actor in mediation efforts in the conflict. He remarked following that the U.S Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs condemned the violence in Mushaki and additional killings in South Kivu Province, including near Uvira, while urging “all parties” to exercise restraint and return to dialogue. ALSO READ: DR Congo army blamed for drone attack that killed 20 civilians, injured dozens “The United States condemns today’s drone strike in Mushaki, North Kivu and the massacres near Uvira, South Kivu... All parties must exercise maximum restraint, implement their ceasefire commitments, protect civilians, and commit to dialogue and de-escalation,” the bureau said. Nangaa, however, argued that the statement failed to establish accountability. “The U.S. Department of State, through its Bureau of African Affairs, curiously proves incapable of clearly designating the responsible party, known to all, for these drone bombardments, condemning it, and taking the necessary sanctions. “This ambiguity is, at the very least, profoundly regrettable. Its stance, both timid and equivocal, is unworthy of the gravity of the facts.” ALSO READ: Bisimwa condemns ‘indifference’ of mediators amid Kinshasa’s attacks He noted that the actions “Demand a clear condemnation and an unambiguous identification of the responsible party, the corrupt and bloodthirsty regime in Kinshasa... which proudly claims the support of the United States of America to justify its actions,” he said. Nangaa further accused Tshisekedi of using mining agreements with the United States to shield his government from scrutiny. “It is deeply regrettable to note that President Tshisekedi uses his mining agreements with the United States to claim absolute impunity, allowing himself, on the one hand, to massacre defenseless civilian populations and, on the other hand, to violate all peace agreements without being held accountable.” He argued that appeals directed at “all parties” risk placing victims and perpetrators on the same footing. “By wrongly equating victims and perpetrators, the reaction of the Bureau of African Affairs discredits and weakens mediation, while raising serious questions about respect for the principles of neutrality, impartiality, and credibility, all indispensable to its success, which is clearly compromised.” ALSO READ: Banyamulenge protest in US, Kenya amid rising calls for action on Minembwe crisis A senior AFC/M23 figure involved in ongoing peace talks in Doha, Freddy Kaniki, also condemned the attack, clarifying that Mushaki located approximately 20 miles from Goma and far removed from active frontlines, was not an immediate zone of military engagement. He reiterated that the drone strike in the area constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law and raises serious concerns regarding the conduct of the Congolese government. He described the attack as a serious violation of international humanitarian law and part of an escalating pattern of drone strikes against civilians. Kaniki added that similar attacks have been reported in North and South Kivu provinces in recent weeks. “Such conduct reflects a disturbing level of irresponsibility and recklessness that warrants unequivocal international condemnation, alongside calls for accountability on the part of President Tshisekedi,” Kaniki said. ALSO READ: Congolese opposition politicians condemn US sanctions on Kabila The official also reflected on the March attack in Goma, which claimed the life of a French humanitarian worker and two civilians, as well as the continued drone attacks reported in Minembwe and Masisi, as the “growing concern over an escalating pattern of violence against civilians and non-combatants.” “In light of these developments, the United States and the broader international community should adopt a clear and unambiguous position in condemning these actions before the situation deteriorates further,” Kaniki said. “No political or economic considerations, including ongoing mineral agreements with the United States, should place any government or leader above the rule of law and established international norms.” ALSO READ: Congolese lawyer questions mediators’ silence amid attacks against Banyamulenge The United States, in its leadership role within this conflict, he said, should uphold higher moral and ethical standards in responding to these violations and in promoting accountability, civilian protection, and adherence to international law.
