Government forces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo “bombed civilians immediately after ceasefire agreement”
AFC/M23 has accused the Congolese government of breaking the ceasefire agreement that was struck just a day ago, pointing out that government forces attacked heavily populated districts in South and North Kivu shortly after the agreement was signed.
The sixth session of peace negotiations supported by the State of Qatar since April of this year saw the signing of the ceasefire oversight and verification agreement in Doha, Qatar, on Monday, October 14. A cooperative system was formed by the agreement to oversee and confirm adherence to the ceasefire between the two parties involved in the war.
The Declaration of Principles signed on July 19 served as the basis for the agreement. A lasting truce and the release of prisoners were among the pledges made in the declaration as ways to foster confidence and open the door for more extensive political and security agreements.
However, combat has continued in the eastern region in spite of the agreements. The AFC/M23 has accused the Congolese government and its allies—including Burundian military, foreign mercenaries, the FDLR, a genocidal militia sponsored by the Congo, Wazalendo, and Mai-Mai groups—of carrying out ongoing attacks on civilian communities and rebel-held territory.
New bombings, according to the movement, happened right after the new deal was signed.
“Just hours after the signing of a ceasefire protocol in Doha on October 14, 2025, the coalition forces of the Kinshasa regime launched intense bombardments on densely populated areas and on our positions in South Kivu and North Kivu, in accordance with its usual practices,” said Lawrence Kanyuka, the movement’s spokesperson, in a statement posted on his official X account.
This alliance simultaneously launched ground attacks against a number of our positions, most notably in Kasake, Lumbishi, and Kadasomwa. The statement went on to say that the warlike government in Kinshasa is still putting civilian lives in jeopardy and impeding any peace efforts.
