The M23 militants have said they are committed to talks with the African nation’s authorities to end the crisis
The Democratic Republic of the Congo rebel coalition Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), which includes M23 militants, is prepared to engage in talks with the government to immediately end fighting in the country’s east, a spokesperson for the group has stated.
Thousands of people, including children and international peacekeepers, have been killed in the Central African nation since clashes broke out between the rebels and Congolese forces at the beginning of the year, according to the UN.
On Saturday, Lawrence Kanyuka posted a statement on X, announcing that the AFC is committed to a “negotiated solution to the crisis” as well as respecting a unilateral ceasefire it declared on February 4.
The move is intended to facilitate the implementation of resolutions reached at a recent joint East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit, as well as the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council conference, according to the spokesman.
“These conclusions call for a ceasefire between the parties and a political dialogue between the Congolese Government and AFC/M23. We hope that the government will, this time, fully respect and implement these conclusions,” Kanyuka stated.
In a separate statement, the rebel alliance accused Congolese forces and their “allied militias” of continuing to launch ground and air attacks on civilians in several areas, particularly Uvira and Minembwe in South Kivu province.
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“In these circumstances, AFC/M23 reserves the right to defend itself and ensure the protection of civilian populations, victims of recurring violence orchestrated by the coalition forces of DRC government,” it declared.
The former Belgian colony’s resource-rich east has been plagued by decades of violence, with dozens of armed groups, including M23, fighting the local authorities for power and minerals such as gold and diamonds. Kinshasa has accused Rwanda of supporting the militants – a claim Kigali denies.
In the latest flare-up of their offensive, the rebels have seized Goma, the capital of North Kivu, and Bukavu, the major city in South Kivu. According to the UN, the M23 has appointed de facto authorities, including a governor and mayor in Goma.
On Saturday, Tina Salama, spokesperson for Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, said the leader will form a government of national unity and make changes in the leadership of the ruling Sacred Union coalition amid the security crisis.
The AU recently warned that the DR Congo could break up if the conflict is not resolved, while the UN fears regional escalation of hostilities.
On Friday, the UN Security Council passed a resolution, demanding that the M23 immediately cease hostilities, withdraw from all areas that it controls, “and fully reverse the establishment of illegitimate parallel administrations in the DRC territory.”
