Ukraine Firmly Denies Supporting AFC/M23, Accuses Russia of Undermining U.S. Peace Efforts
MINEMBWE CAPITAL NEWS (MCN)
The Government of Ukraine has categorically rejected allegations made by Russia accusing it of supporting the AFC/M23 rebel movement operating in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Kyiv described the accusations as baseless and false, while accusing Moscow of spreading disinformation aimed at undermining international efforts to restore peace in the Great Lakes region.
The statement came after Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, during an official visit to Bujumbura, Burundi, claimed that Ukraine was among the countries supporting AFC/M23, the armed movement that currently controls significant areas of North and South Kivu provinces.
In a statement posted on X and later shared with the media by the Embassy of Ukraine in the DRC, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi dismissed Lavrov’s remarks as Kremlin propaganda.
He stated:
“Sergey Lavrov’s claim that Ukraine supports AFC/M23 in eastern DRC is a baseless Kremlin fabrication. We categorically reject and strongly condemn these false allegations.”
The spokesperson further emphasized that Ukraine has no involvement in conflicts in Africa and does not support any armed group operating in the DRC. Instead, he argued that Russia has long faced accusations of contributing to insecurity in several parts of Africa.
He added:
“Ukraine does not interfere in African conflicts. On the contrary, Russia has been accused of supplying weapons to armed groups that fuel instability and of recruiting Africans to fight in its war against Ukraine. Moscow accusing others of what it is itself accused of doing is nothing new.”
According to Kyiv, these accusations are not accidental but form part of a broader Russian strategy to divert international attention and discredit ongoing peace initiatives in the Great Lakes region.
As Heorhii Tykhyi explained, Moscow’s primary objective is to weaken U.S.-led mediation efforts and undermine diplomatic initiatives aimed at resolving the security crisis in eastern DRC.
He stated:
“Russia’s objective is clear: to weaken U.S. mediation efforts and divert international attention from its own role in activities that undermine prospects for peace.”
These diplomatic tensions come at a time when the security and humanitarian situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to deteriorate.
Although the Washington Agreement was signed and followed by several meetings to assess its implementation, the security situation remains fragile, with persistent disagreements between Kinshasa and Kigali over how the agreement should be implemented.
Each side continues to interpret the provisions of the agreement differently, making its implementation increasingly difficult.
Similarly, the Doha peace talks in Qatar between the Government of the DRC and AFC/M23 have yet to produce tangible results.
Despite several rounds of negotiations, the two parties have not reached consensus on the key issues at the heart of the conflict.
The round of talks held in Montreux, Switzerland, also failed to achieve the expected breakthrough. Furthermore, escalating tensions in the Middle East have shifted international attention toward other crises, slowing diplomatic efforts to advance peace in the Great Lakes region.
As challenges continue to mount, various stakeholders have called on all parties involved in the conflict to honor their commitments under existing peace agreements and to continue supporting diplomatic dialogue.
However, these appeals have so far yielded little visible progress. A significant gap remains between commitments made at the negotiating table and developments on the ground, as each side continues to interpret the agreements according to its own interests.
Analysts argue that achieving lasting peace in eastern DRC will require all parties to fully honor their commitments, demonstrate genuine political will, and strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of the peace process.
