AFC/M23 Condemns Massacres in South Kivu Plateaux, Denounces International Silence

The Alliance Fleuve Congo / Mouvement du 23 Mars (AFC/M23) has released an official communiqué expressing profound alarm over what it describes as a “daily, systematic, and unpunished” campaign of killings targeting civilians across the Hauts Plateaux region of South Kivu province.

Regional Atrocities and Alleged Perpetrators

The statement explicitly identifies Minembwe, Mikenge, and Karingi as the primary sites of repeated attacks against unarmed populations. The AFC/M23 attributes these massacres to a coalition of forces loyal to the Kinshasa government, specifically naming:

• FARDC: The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

• FDNB: The National Defence Forces of Burundi.

• Wazalendo: Pro-government “patriot” self-defence militias.

• FDLR: The Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda.

• Foreign Mercenaries: Private military units allegedly embedded with government forces.

The AFC/M23 further accuses the Kinshasa authorities of orchestrating these operations to target vulnerable demographics – particularly women, children, and the elderly – claiming these acts constitute widespread violations of International Humanitarian Law.

‘International Indifference’

The communiqué issued a sharp rebuke to the international community, humanitarian organizations, and diplomatic actors for what it termed a “deliberate and sustained silence.” The group argues that this perceived indifference carries heavy moral responsibility and warns that history will hold passive observers accountable for the documented atrocities.

Breach of Peace Commitments

The AFC/M23 maintains that the Kinshasa regime has flagrantly breached the ceasefire terms established under the Doha (2025) and Washington agreements. According to the communiqué:

• The government’s “belligerent posture” has shattered any remaining hope for a negotiated end to the crisis.

• The escalating violence in South Kivu now poses a direct threat to the broader security of the Great Lakes sub-region.

The document was signed by Lawrence Kanyuka, Head of Communication for the AFC/M23, and issued from Goma. While the group positions itself as a defender of the affected communities, the situation remains dire as humanitarian agencies continue to report village burnings and mass displacement in the South Kivu highlands.