Goma : AFC-M23 accuses Kinshasa of violating the ceasefire and the Doha Agreement

SOS Médias Burundi

Goma, September 2, 2025 – During a press conference held on Monday, September 1, in Goma, the capital of North Kivu, Corneille Nangaa, political coordinator of the AFC-M23 (Congo River Alliance – M23), once again accused the Congolese government of violating the ceasefire and the agreement of principles signed in Doha, Qatar.

According to him, the authorities in Kinshasa are responsible for the persistent insecurity in eastern DRC by carrying out attacks against M23 positions, despite the commitments made during the talks.

“We, the AFC-M23, scrupulously respect the various agreements proposed by the mediators and peace partners. But today, it is the key players in Kinshasa who are violating these measures by attacking us everywhere,” declared Corneille Nangaa.

He recalled that the Doha Agreement aimed to create favorable conditions for a final peace agreement, intended to end the recurring conflicts in the region.

Accusations of massacres in Minembwe and Uvira

Corneille Nangaa also accused the Wazalendo militias, as well as their allies—the FARDC and certain Mai-Mai groups—of orchestrating massacres of civilians in the highlands of Minembwe (South Kivu) and around the city of Uvira.

“It is the government and its allies who are orchestrating these attacks in an attempt to neutralize us. We will defend ourselves by all possible means,” he affirmed.

Call for an end to tribalism and social cohesion

Bertrand Bisimwa, president of the M23 and deputy coordinator of the AFC-M23, called for an end to tribalism, which he believes is encouraged by the central government. He urged the Congolese authorities to guarantee freedom of movement for all citizens, regardless of their origin.

“Kinshasa is sowing tribalism among its residents. We will not tolerate these abuses. We call on the government to put an end to these practices and to preach unity and social cohesion,” he declared.

Economic crisis in areas controlled by the M23

In areas currently under AFC-M23 control, particularly Goma and Bukavu, the economic situation is worrying. The closure of commercial banks before the M23 entered these cities has paralyzed economic activity.

The rebel movement is calling on the government to reopen financial institutions in the territories under its control to alleviate the suffering of civilians.

Kinshasa’s position and the military escalation

On the government side, the FARDC, supported by Mai-Mai groups, accuses the M23 of deliberately expanding its territory, in violation of past ceasefire agreements. Kinshasa believes the rebel movement is pursuing a strategy of military occupation while declaring itself open to dialogue.

The M23, a former Tutsi-majority rebel group, took up arms again at the end of 2021, accusing the government of failing to respect past reintegration agreements.

The Congolese authorities accuse Rwanda of supporting the M23, which is now integrated into the AFC politico-military alliance, which opposes the central government. Kigali has consistently denied any involvement.

Burundi, for its part, has deployed approximately 10,000 soldiers to support the FARDC and the Wazalendo militias, in an armed coalition aimed at retaking strategic areas occupied by the M23.

Since the beginning of the year, the AFC-M23 rebels have controlled several strategic mineral-rich areas, including the capitals of the two Kivus, according to various local and international sources.

Peace still distant

Despite mediation attempts and agreements in principle signed abroad, the conflict in eastern DRC appears far from resolved. Repeated ceasefire violations are jeopardizing peace efforts, while civilians continue to pay a high price, caught between front lines, forced displacement, and poverty.