The AFC/M23 coalition has rejected allegations by Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Félix Tshisekedi that Rwanda and the movement are linked to atrocities commemorated under the “Genocost” campaign, accusing Kinshasa of using the initiative for political purposes.
In a statement released after a Genocost commemoration event held in Kinshasa on August 3, 2026, AFC/M23 said the campaign risks distorting historical realities, confusing international crimes and undermining efforts towards justice and reconciliation.
The Congolese government commemorates Genocost every August 2, describing it as a remembrance of millions of Congolese allegedly killed during conflicts linked to the exploitation of the country’s natural resources.
During this year’s commemoration, which marked the fourth edition of the event, President Tshisekedi accused Rwanda and AFC/M23 of playing a role in atrocities committed in the DRC over the past three decades.
AFC/M23 rejected the accusations, saying it pays tribute to all Congolese victims of wars and conflicts regardless of ethnicity, language, religion or region.
The group said victims deserve truth, justice, reparations and assurances that similar tragedies will not happen again.
However, AFC/M23 argued that describing all crimes committed in the DRC as “genocide” does not correspond with international legal standards and could be used to conceal individual responsibility and turn history into a political weapon.
“The concept of ‘Genocost’, as promoted by the Kinshasa authorities, is based more on political interests than the search for justice. It has shifted attention from the root causes of Congo’s problems and transformed history into a political instrument,” AFC/M23 said.
Rwanda’s Foreign Minister, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, also criticised the Genocost commemoration, accusing the DRC government of ignoring attacks against Congolese Tutsi communities, which he said had received support from authorities in Kinshasa since 1998 and during subsequent periods.
The Genocost commemoration has been held annually for four years, but it has not received official endorsement from any foreign government.
