AFC/M23 promotes reciprocity while assisting Burundian refugees in returning safely
AFC/M23, a rebel movement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, facilitated the voluntary return of over 500 Burundian refugees to their country on Monday, December 15. The group called on the Burundian government to do the same by ensuring the safe return of Congolese refugees who had been displaced by the ongoing tensions in eastern DR Congo.
AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka asked Burundian authorities to ensure safe passage for Congolese refugees who fled conflict-affected areas in a statement published on his official X account.
The statement states, “Our organization calls upon the government of Burundi to facilitate and guarantee the free passage of Congolese refugees who were forced to flee their localities due to indiscriminate bombardments carried out by the coalition forces of the Kinshasa regime, particularly in Sange, Luvungi, and Katogota.”
According to the movement, if reciprocal actions are taken, it is also prepared to take further steps to boost confidence.
In order to facilitate the safe and dignified return of our displaced compatriots, the AFC/M23 expresses its willingness to declare a unilateral ceasefire and turn over Burundian military soldiers seized on the battlefield to the government. said Kanyuka.
The movement, however, emphasized that tolerance would not apply to Burundian forces acting on Congolese soil and distinguished between active military operations and humanitarian gestures.
“The AFC/M23 assures that it will not permit such groups to use liberated areas as rear bases for any hostile acts likely to undermine good-neighborly relations between our two countries,” the statement said, referring to the problem of armed groups still operating in DR Congo that are hostile to the Burundian government.
Additionally, the organization denounced Kinshasa-aligned coalition forces’ ongoing military activities.
“The ongoing attacks against densely populated areas by the Kinshasa regime’s coalition forces in Masisi, Walikale, and Minembwe, which have led to the death and displacement of numerous our compatriots, are strongly condemned by the AFC/M23,” the statement read.
