The AFC/M23 coalition that is against the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, announced that it is never going to withdraw any of the captured areas, and explained the reasons why.
This was announced in a statement released on Monday, January 26, 2026 by this coalition, with a title “The Alliance Fleuve Congo/Mouvement fu 23 Mars (AFC/M23) will not withdraw from any entity within the liberated territories.”
The statement, signed by AFC/M23’s Political Spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, begins by stating that the areas captured, are currently peaceful.
It says “The areas under its administration are experiencing genuine and stable peace. The population continues to carry out its activities around the clock, essential public services have been fully restored, and the local economy is stabilizing, driven in particular by agricultural overproduction, which has led to a significant reduction in food prices in local markets.”
The statement further notes that other services are gradually returning to normal, “Schools are functioning normally, continuous access to clean water and electricity is ensured without interruption, and the living conditions of the population continue to improve steadily.”
Kanyuka went on to say “The AFC/M23 will never allow anyone, including the Kinshasa regime, to undermine peace and stability in the liberated territories. It firmly and unequivocally reiterates its unwavering commitment to defend and protect civilian populations, wherever they are persecuted, targeted, or subjected to violence by the predatory and brutal regime of the Kinshasa.”
He also addressed on the announcement that was released last week by the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC), which accused this coalition of AFC/M23 of being responsible for the ongoing insecurities in an area the group had withdrawn from, describing the claim as a lie spread by the Congolese government.
He said “The FARDC press release once again falls withing the systematic policy of disinformation, demagoguery, and manipulation of public opinion, pursued by the incompetent Kinshasa regime, which has made the manufacture of fake news its preferred tool for concealing its military, political, and humanitarian failures.
Kanyuka said that AFC/M23 willingly withdrew from the city of Uvira on the 17th of January, 2026, in broad daylight, with the intention of giving peace processes a chance to resolve the conflict.
He said that AFC/M23 fighters left Uvira in full view of civilians, as well as local and international media.
He added that when AFC/M23 left the city, it was calm, churches were intact, civilian homes were undamaged, and the businesses of the Banyamulenge community were operating normally. However, after FARDC and Wazalendo forces entered the city, conditions deteriorated.
He said: “Pending the deployment of a neutral force, as expressly requested by the AFC/M23, the Kinshasa regime instead deployed its forces, which have since been committing serious human rights violation.”
He further stated that internet services were fully functional while AFC/M23 was present in the city, but were cut off after their withdrawal in order to prevent reports of abuses being committed against civilians from reaching the outside world.
He said: “It is profoundly indecent and disturbing to witness the Kinshasa regime celebrating its entry to Uvira, when this was made possible only by the voluntary, responsible, and good-faith withdrawal of the AFC/M23, carried out in a spirit of de-escalation and a sincere pursuit of peace.”
The AFC/M23 coalition also called on the international community to closely monitor the abuses being committed by the Kinshasa government, including violations of the ceasefire and the continued use of foreign mercenaries.
RADIOTV10
