Goma, October 2, 2025 – The rebel coalition Alliance Fleuve Congo/Movement of March 23 (AFC/M23) has accused the Congolese government and its allies of launching indiscriminate airstrikes on civilian-populated areas in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, warning that the humanitarian crisis in the region is worsening.
In a statement released on Thursday, the group said drones and combat aircraft bombarded the territories of Rutshuru and Buleusa, in Walikale, overnight between October 1 and 2. According to AFC/M23, the strikes killed numerous civilians and forced thousands to flee their homes.
“These blind bombings have resulted in the death of many civilians and provoked massive displacement of the population, aggravating an already alarming humanitarian crisis,” the communiqué read.
The group blamed the attacks on a broad coalition backing the government in Kinshasa, which it said included the Congolese army (FARDC), Rwandan Hutu militia (FDLR), Mai-Mai Wazalendo fighters, Burundian troops (FNDB), and foreign mercenaries.
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Warning to the International Community
AFC/M23 described the operations as “terrorist attacks” and called on both national and international communities to take note. The group insisted it would be “forced to intervene” to protect civilians and neutralize threats.
“The AFC/M23 is compelled to act in order to protect civilian populations and to eliminate any threat at its source,” said Lawrence Kanyuka, the movement’s communications chief, who signed the statement.
Rising Violence in North Kivu
The accusations come amid renewed fighting across North Kivu, where M23 has been battling Congolese and allied forces for months. The movement, which resurfaced in late 2021 after nearly a decade of dormancy, has seized swathes of territory near the borders with Rwanda and Uganda.
The government in Kinshasa has long accused Rwanda of supporting M23 — a charge Kigali denies. Meanwhile, Kinshasa has turned to regional allies, including Burundi and local militias, to push back against the rebels.
The conflict has displaced more than two million people in North Kivu alone, according to humanitarian agencies, with aid groups repeatedly warning that civilians are bearing the heaviest cost of the violence.
Uncertain Road Ahead
Analysts say the latest escalation highlights the fragility of international mediation efforts, including regional peace initiatives led by the East African Community and the African Union.
While the AFC/M23 frames its fight as a defensive struggle, Kinshasa views the group as a terrorist movement threatening the sovereignty of the state.
As both sides trade accusations, civilians continue to flee bombings and ground clashes, deepening what aid workers have described as one of the world’s most neglected crises.
