The Alliance Fleuve Congo – Mouvement du 23 Mars (AFC/M23) has issued a strongly worded statement accusing the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo of orchestrating what it describes as a campaign of disinformation and systematic violence against civilians in the country’s eastern regions.
In a message published on social media platform X, the movement’s spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, denounced what he called “gross falsehoods, blatant manipulation, and a cynical strategy of blame-shifting” allegedly driven by authorities in Kinshasa and government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya.
According to the statement, the Congolese government is attempting to deflect responsibility for ongoing atrocities by attributing them to opposing forces. The AFC/M23 claims that coalition forces aligned with Kinshasa are responsible for indiscriminate bombardments in densely populated areas, drone strikes beyond front lines, and targeted attacks against members of the movement, as well as humanitarian personnel, including a reported UNICEF worker.
The group further accuses the government of fostering hate speech and denying what it describes as “well-documented realities” on the ground. It alleges that these actions reflect both a moral breakdown and a deepening crisis of governance.
The statement also highlights what the movement calls an “inhumane blockade” imposed on Minembwe, alongside a broader military campaign targeting civilians in areas under AFC/M23 control. The use of heavy artillery and combat drones, it claims, has resulted in widespread destruction of homes and the forced displacement of thousands of civilians under dire humanitarian conditions.
In Ituri province, the situation is described as particularly alarming. The AFC/M23 points to recurring massacres as evidence of a collapse of state authority in regions under government control. It specifically referenced an attack on April 2, 2026, which reportedly left more than 150 civilians dead, presenting it as further proof of what it calls the government’s inability or unwillingness to ensure the protection of its population.
Amid these developments, the movement asserts that a growing number of Congolese citizens are turning toward AFC/M23, viewing it as a credible alternative capable of restoring order and state authority across the national territory. It claims that in areas under its control, populations are able to live and carry out daily activities in relative security.
Responding directly to recent remarks by Patrick Muyaya, the group described the government’s communication as a deliberate disinformation effort aimed at concealing its responsibilities in the ongoing conflict.
Despite its strong criticism, the AFC/M23 reiterated its stated commitment to a political resolution of the conflict. However, it maintained that it remains firmly determined to defend and protect civilian populations across the country.
The exchange of accusations between Kinshasa and AFC/M23 comes as violence continues to intensify in eastern Congo, particularly in North Kivu and Ituri, where civilians remain the primary victims of a protracted and increasingly complex conflict.
