M23 rebels accuse DRC of sabotaging peace efforts with military buildup, warns of retaliation
Further, the coalition decried that DRC's military actions amount to a blatant dismissal of ongoing diplomatic efforts, warning that such moves threaten to derail recent progress made through international mediation, including the US-brokered peace agreement between Kinshasa and Rwanda.
The rebel coalition group, Congo River Alliance (AFC/M23), has accused the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) of undermining ongoing peace efforts by carrying out a large-scale and provocative military deployment in the country's eastern region, warning of possible retaliation.
In a statement issued on X, the coalition claimed that DRC troops and military equipment have been positioned across key areas by the Kinshasa regime, with additional backing from the Burundi National Defense Forces.
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According to the group, heavy artillery is being deliberately aimed at densely populated zones in DRC's eastern region, a move they described as bordering on crimes against humanity.
"The Congo River Alliance (AFC/M23) alerts the national and international community to the massive and provocative deployment of troops and military equipment by the illegitimate Kinshasa regime across the entire front," the statement reads.
"Worse still, its coalition forces, including the Burundi National Defense Force, are deliberately aiming their heavy weapons at densely populated areas. This criminally irresponsible decision borders on a crime against humanity."
Further, the coalition decried that DRC's military actions amount to a blatant dismissal of ongoing diplomatic efforts, warning that such moves threaten to derail recent progress made through international mediation, including the US-brokered peace agreement between Kinshasa and Rwanda.
According to M23, by intensifying frontline deployments and ignoring calls to address the root causes of the conflict, Kinshasa is "openly sabotaging" the peace process it claims to support.
"This regime stubbornly refuses to honour its commitments regarding confidence-building measures, even though the AFC/M23 has already fulfilled its demands. This duplicity is unacceptable," the rebel coalition said.
"The AFC/M23 reaffirms its unwavering commitment to resolving the crisis through political dialogue. However, in the face of this criminal military aggression that directly threatens innocent civilian populations, we reserve the legitimate right to protect them and defend our positions."
On Friday, Rwandan President Paul Kagame cast doubt on the sustainability of the recent US-brokered peace agreement with the DRC, warning it could collapse if Kinshasa fails to uphold its commitments.
Speaking in Kigali on Friday, Kagame reaffirmed Rwanda's support for the deal but cautioned that progress hinges on the DRC's willingness to take firm action against the FDLR, a rebel group Rwanda views as a serious security threat.
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