The AFC/M23 coalition expressed its deep concern over the persistent, deliberate and sustained silence of the international community regarding the killings allegedly being carried out by the Kinshasa government against residents in areas including Minembwe, Mikenge and Karing in South Kivu.
This was contained in a statement released by the coalition on the night of Thursday, February 19,2026.
The statement, issued by the AFC/M23 political spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, began by saying that “In light of the daily, systematic, and unpunished massacres of civilian populations in Minembwe, Mikenge, Karingi, and across the entire Hauts Plateaux of South Kivu, perpetrated by the terrorist coalition forces of the Kinshasa regime, the Alliance Fleuve Congo/Mouvement du 23 Mars (AFC/M23) expresses its deep concern over the persistent, deliberate, and sustained silence of the international community.”
Kanyuka went on to say that these acts of extreme brutality “currently inflicted upon innocent and defenseless civilian populations by the coalition of Kinshasa regime, mainly the FARDC, FDNB, Wazalendo, FDLR, and the foreign mercenaries, shatter and extinguish the hopes and legitimate aspirations of the Congolese people for a peaceful and lasting resolution to the crisis.
AFC/M23 stated that these actions can’t be tolerated and described them as “crimes primarily targeting women, children, and the elderly, amount to massive, repeated, and well-documented violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL)
The coalition further said it wishes to inform Congolese citizens, the international community, and regional leaders that the Congolese government continues to carry out actions that destabilize both the country and the Great Lakes region.
They added: “The silence, inaction, and complacency in the face of such grave crimes reflect a heavy moral and political responsibility, for which history will inevitably demand accountability.”
The coalition also stated that these actions undermine the Doha and Washington peace agreements, accusing the Congolese government of demonstrating a clear determination to pursue the path of war.
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