The Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) has accused the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government of abandoning the Doha peace process, claiming Kinshasa has chosen a military approach over dialogue to address insecurity in the country’s east.
In a statement released at the end of the year, AFC/M23 said the Congolese government failed to honor commitments made during Qatar-mediated talks, notably by refusing to attend two meetings intended to assess compliance with a ceasefire agreement.
AFC/M23 Coordinator Corneille Nangaa said the boycott demonstrated that the talks were used as a “cover” to prepare for renewed fighting.
“The continued violence against civilians, carried out in violation of International Humanitarian Law, shows that these agreements were never intended to bring peace,” Nangaa said.
According to the group, AFC/M23 participated in the planned meetings in good faith, seeking concrete measures to halt hostilities, but accused Kinshasa of deliberately choosing a military path.
Despite the setback, AFC/M23 said it still supports Qatar’s mediation efforts, insisting that a political solution remains the only way to resolve the protracted conflict.
Nangaa also accused the Congolese authorities of promoting hate speech, alleging that state officials and media outlets are encouraging ethnic and linguistic discrimination, particularly against Kinyarwanda-speaking communities, including Tutsis.
He further criticized what he described as ethnic and regional bias within the national army, claiming that soldiers and political figures are being arbitrarily detained, killed, or forced into exile.
The breakdown of talks coincided with renewed fighting, during which AFC/M23 briefly took control of the city of Uvira in South Kivu province.
The seizure of the city was condemned by several countries, including the United States, which accused Rwanda of backing the group—an allegation Kigali has previously denied.
Following international pressure, AFC/M23 announced its withdrawal from Uvira, saying it remained open to renewed peace efforts.
