At a time when a glimmer of hope had begun to emerge that the long-running conflict claiming civilian lives in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo could move toward a ceasefire, new developments have shown that those prospects have once again been pushed backward.
The AFC/M23 movement announced that it had come under heavy attacks by forces supporting the Kinshasa government, despite the group having already agreed to a ceasefire in order to give the peace process a chance.
In a statement released by Lawrence Kanyuka, the political spokesperson of AFC/M23, the movement explained that its decision to declare a ceasefire was intended to demonstrate its willingness to reduce bloodshed and create space for dialogue and diplomatic efforts. However, he said that on the side of the Congolese government, that step had been undermined by continued attacks on AFC/M23 positions as well as on areas densely populated by civilians.
Kanyuka stated that these attacks are particularly alarming because they are being carried out in what AFC/M23 describes as “a well-planned operation aimed at deliberately exterminating civilians,” actions he says are in clear contradiction with the statements and commitments the Kinshasa authorities have recently made before international mediators.
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He explained that on Friday, 19 December 2025, starting at around 11:00 a.m., a coalition of forces fighting alongside the DRC government — including FARDC and their allies — launched attacks using suicide drones, commonly known as kamikaze drones, in coordination with naval forces. These attacks targeted both civilian areas and AFC/M23 positions in the Makobola area of South Kivu province.
The spokesperson indicated that information in their possession confirms that the attacks were launched from the town of Baraka, an area known to host significant government military operations. He added that such actions raise serious concerns about the safety of civilians, particularly those who have long been living in fear and insecurity caused by the ongoing conflict.
Kanyuka further stated that at around 11:30 a.m. the same day, the forces launched another attack in the Minembwe area, using drones and heavy weapons. He said: “These attacks caused widespread panic among civilians, forcing many to flee in fear for their lives.”
What happened in Minembwe has once again highlighted a long-standing concern raised by human rights organizations, namely that civilians continue to be targeted during the fighting, even as each side claims to be acting in defense of the population. AFC/M23 argues that these actions demonstrate that, despite peace rhetoric coming from Kinshasa and international forums, developments on the ground continue to follow a path of war.
The movement called on the Congolese population and international partners — including the United Nations, the African Union, and mediators involved in peace talks — to bear witness to what it describes as deliberate violations of the ceasefire. According to AFC/M23, such actions severely undermine the fragile trust that had begun to form between the warring parties.
In its statement, AFC/M23 reaffirmed that the continued actions of the DRC government forces clearly show that the Kinshasa authorities are not prioritizing peace or the protection of civilians. Instead, the movement claims that the government remains determined to pursue war and violence, despite the growing suffering of innocent civilians.
