The political and military coalition Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) has released an urgent statement expressing serious concern over the worsening insecurity in the areas of Minembwe, Mikenge, and Karingi in South Kivu.
The group claims that civilians continue to be killed in a brutal manner by a coalition of Kinshasa government forces and allied armed groups.The statement emphasizes that acts of violence against innocent civilians particularly women, children, and the elderly are being carried out by a coalition composed of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) in collaboration with groups such as Wazalendo, foreign mercenaries, and the FDLR.
AFC/M23 states that these killings and severe abuses are being committed openly, while the international community, human rights organizations, and humanitarian agencies remain silent or fail to take concrete action, despite the fact that these acts constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law.
The coalition further claims that the events occurring in these areas are part of a plan orchestrated by the Kinshasa authorities aimed at creating a humanitarian catastrophe among the population something that could have serious consequences for the overall security of the Great Lakes region.In particular, AFC/M23 stresses that ongoing military operations conducted by the FARDC and its allied groups violate the ceasefire agreements signed during talks held in Doha and Washington.
According to the statement, this demonstrates a failure to uphold international obligations and undermines the peace negotiation process that had begun to offer hope to civilians.The statement, signed in Goma by Lawrence Kanyuka, Head of Communications for AFC/M23, further asserts that the Kinshasa government’s preference for military confrontation over dialogue could continue to delay efforts toward achieving lasting peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In conclusion, AFC/M23 calls upon regional countries, international organizations, and international justice institutions to act urgently to stop the violence against civilians and to implement measures to hold those responsible accountable.
The group warns that continued silence and failure to take concrete action will lead history to judge everyone who contributed to the impunity of those responsible for these atrocities.
