DRC army accuses AFC/M23 coalition of violating peace commitments

The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) have accused the AFC/M23 coalition of violating peace agreements through continued hostilities. Lieutenant Colonel Mak Hazukay, interim army spokesperson, stated on June 6 in Kinshasa that the coalition's attacks persist despite ongoing diplomatic initiatives aimed at peace in the country's east.

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Despite the diplomatic efforts engaged at the national, regional, and international level... the RDF/AFC-M23 coalition continues its hostile actions against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

According to the Congolese army, these actions challenge efforts at national, regional, and international levels to restore peace. Hazukay specifically highlighted what he termed a grave breach of commitments made under the Washington and Doha peace processes. "Despite the diplomatic efforts engaged at the national, regional, and international level... the RDF/AFC-M23 coalition continues its hostile actions against the Democratic Republic of Congo," he declared. The FARDC believe this stance jeopardizes diplomatic progress and weakens initiatives for a lasting ceasefire.

The military authorities report that numerous localities in North Kivu, as well as the Fizi and Uvira highlands in South Kivu, remain sites of attacks. The FARDC allege that the AFC/M23 coalition targets both civilian populations and army positions, leading to loss of life, mass displacement, and significant material damage. "These forces continue to target civilian populations, thus causing loss of life, population displacement, and significant material damage," the spokesperson stated.

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These forces continue to target civilian populations, causing thus loss of life, population displacement, and significant material damage.

The FARDC strongly condemn these attacks on civilians and public infrastructure, viewing them as serious violations of international humanitarian law. The army assures it remains fully mobilized to protect the population, defend territorial integrity, and safeguard national sovereignty. This denunciation comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to stabilize the security situation in eastern Congo, with the FARDC emphasizing that continued hostilities by the AFC/M23 coalition undermine these efforts and prolong insecurity in an already conflict-stricken region.

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The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo remain fully mobilized to ensure the protection of populations, the defense of territorial integrity, and the safeguarding of national sovereignty.