AFC/M23 promises to eliminate dangers to civilians in Minembwe’s Walikale

The Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) rebel movement in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is worried about ongoing “systematic” violations of human rights and violations of a ceasefire agreement that was previously established in areas that it evacuated in an attempt to promote peace talks. Consequently, the rebels pledged to “neutralize any threat at its source” in reaction to the repeated assaults.

In order to implement a unilateral ceasefire that was announced on February 22, the rebels chose to leave Walikale after seizing it on March 19. According to the rebels, the ceasefire was intended to help peace initiatives that sought to address the underlying causes of the war in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and promote communication.

AFC/M23 rebels said in a statement posted on X on Thursday, April 10, that the Congolese government army and its allies had violated the truce by occupying Walikale.

“After we moved our forces as a goodwill gesture, the Kinshasa regime’s coalition forces—FARDC, FDLR, Mai-Mai/Wazalendo, and Burundi’s National Defense Forces—have taken over and looted the town of Walikale,” the statement says.

Additionally, the rebels denounced the coordinated strikes on South Kivu Province’s Banyamulenge people in Minembwe. Their statement claims that the Banyamulenge community in Mikenke is directly threatened by the most recent attacks, which were carried out on April 8 from locations such as “Point Zero” and “Bilalombili.”

The Congolese government continued to use assault drones directed by MONUSCO intelligence to massacre civilians in Minembwe, Uvira, and the adjacent districts of South Kivu Province in February, according to AFC/M23 Spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka.

Throughout March, targeted attacks against communities with unarmed Banyamulenge civilians persisted, according to Congolese lawyer Moise Nyarugabo.

Additional attacks against people in Walikale, Masisi, Walungu, and the adjacent areas, including rebel-held sites, were reported by the rebels in their most recent statement. The rebels claimed that on April 8 and April 10, 2025, “genocidal attacks were launched from Rugezi against Banyamulenge populations.”

“In Kivumu and Gahwera, intentional attacks against defenseless civilians on April 10 resulted in extensive damage and looting of civilian property.”

The rebel organization reaffirmed its commitment to a peaceful conclusion of the war in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, stressing its purpose to protect and defend civilians in spite of the increasing bloodshed.