DRC conflict: M23 rejects UN claims on worsening Goma situation
Further, the AFC maintained that before M23 took control of Goma, the city was plagued by severe insecurity and humanitarian crises, with civilians trapped in displacement camps and used as human shields by the government.
The M23 rebel group has rejected claims by the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), alleging that the situation in Goma has worsened since the group took control of the city in January.
In a statement on Sunday, M23's political wing, the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), criticised recent remarks by MONUSCO's Senior Advisor in charge of civilian protection, Teoha Williams, accusing him of attempting to downplay DRC-led attacks and mislead the international community.
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"This manoeuvre aims to undermine the Doha dialogue and conceal the offensive operations carried out by the regime on multiple fronts, including behind our lines, as evidenced by the attacks of April 11 to 12, 2025, in the town of Goma," said the AFC.
"Through his briefing on May 22, 2025, Williams attempts to convince the international community that the current situation in Goma is worse than before its liberation."
Further, the AFC maintained that before M23 took control of Goma, the city was plagued by severe insecurity and humanitarian crises, with civilians trapped in displacement camps and used as human shields by the government.
AFC added that Goma was overrun by lawlessness, marked by extrajudicial killings, sexual violence, ethnic persecution and public atrocities, which were allegedly ignored by MONUSCO and its representatives. According to the AFC, M23's intervention brought stability to Goma.
"Our movement has ended these atrocities, restored order, and allowed Goma to rise again. Life has returned to normal, with peace regained. We are currently conducting a security operation to collect weapons distributed to civilians by the regime or abandoned in the city, which are sources of residual banditry," the group said.
Additionally, the AFC dismissed reports by DRC's representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Zenon Mukongo, who claimed in a May 23 letter to the UN Security Council that M23 had continued its foray into DRC by seizing Bambo and Luwhinja on specific dates in 2025.
M23 referenced a statement by the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) to downplay Mukongo's claims, adding that the aforesaid regions have always been under the control of the rebel faction.
"This document specifies the areas controlled by their forces, which do not include the localities cited by the ambassador. Moreover, it should be noted that Bambo and Kishishe have been under our control since November 2022," said the AFC.
"The accusations by Mukongo, refuted by the FARDC's documents, confirm the regime's duplicity. We urge the international community to condemn these manipulations and work toward lasting peace, rather than covering for those who are flouting the Doha peace process."
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