Lawrence Kanyuka, spokesperson of the Armed Forces of Congo/M23 (AFC/M23) movement, has accused the government in Kinshasa of repeatedly violating the ceasefire it signed in Doha, warning that continued attacks on civilians’ amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
In a strongly worded statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), Kanyuka said the Kinshasa regime “continues to violate the ceasefire” and remains “locked in a belligerent drift,” allegedly ignoring urgent appeals from regional leaders and international partners for a peaceful settlement to the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
According to Kanyuka, AFC/M23 is “bearing witness before the Congolese people” to what it calls ongoing massacres and widespread attacks targeting civilians along multiple frontlines. He claims these operations are being carried out by a coalition of forces loyal to Kinshasa, including the Congolese army (FARDC), elements of the FDLR, various Mai-Mai Wazalendo groups, mercenaries, and units of Burundi’s National Defence Force.
The statement alleges that these forces are using fighter jets, combat drones and heavy artillery in their operations, leading to repeated civilian casualties. Kanyuka describes the killings as “systematic” and says they “deliberately target innocent civilians,” arguing that such acts clearly constitute both war crimes and crimes against humanity under international law.
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“A barbarity that can no longer be tolerated,” he added, calling for accountability and a renewed commitment to a negotiated, peaceful solution.
The allegations come amid renewed tension in eastern DRC, where cycles of violence, displacement and mutual accusations between the Congolese government and the AFC/M23 movement have continued despite previous regional mediation efforts. The Doha ceasefire cited in Kanyuka’s message was intended to de-escalate hostilities and open space for political dialogue, but both sides have since traded blame for its breakdown.
While AFC/M23 accuses Kinshasa and its allies of bombing civilian areas and pursuing a military-only strategy, the Congolese authorities have consistently framed AFC/M23 as an armed movement destabilising the region and have vowed to defend the country’s territorial integrity. Regional leaders and international organisations have repeatedly urged all parties to respect ceasefire commitments, protect civilians and return to negotiations.
Humanitarian agencies have long warned that renewed fighting in the east is worsening an already dire situation for civilians, with mass displacement, limited access to basic services and recurring reports of abuses by multiple armed actors.
In his latest message, Kanyuka calls on the Congolese population and the wider international community to recognise the scale of the violence and press for accountability. He insists that, in the face of what he terms “generalised attacks” and “massacres,” silence and inaction are no longer acceptable.
Independent verification of the latest claims from either side remains difficult due to insecurity and restricted access to front-line areas. However, the statement underscores how fragile the ceasefire remains and how far the region still is from a sustainable political solution.
