The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and the AFC/M23 coalition have once again traded accusations of ceasefire violations, raising fresh concerns over the implementation of commitments made during ongoing peace talks in Montreux, Switzerland.
The latest allegations relate to reported drone strikes in eastern RDC over the weekend.
In a statement issued on Sunday, April 19, and signed by interim army spokesperson Lt Col Mak Hazukay Mongba, FARDC accused AFC/M23 fighters of carrying out drone attacks on Saturday evening, April 18.
According to FARDC, the strikes targeted military positions in Mikenke and Gakenke, as well as civilian areas in Point Zéro, in the highlands of Mwenga and Fizi in South Kivu Province. The army said the attacks resulted in civilian casualties, with at least four people killed and eight others injured, including women and children.
AFC/M23, however, has rejected the allegations and instead accused FARDC and its allies of launching attacks using heavy weapons and suicide drones. The group claims the strikes hit densely populated areas of Kalingi and Bidegu in Minembwe.
The coalition reiterated its accusations on Monday, also citing incidents in Mikenke, Minembwe in South Kivu, and Mitimingi in Masisi, North Kivu.
The renewed exchanges underscore the fragility of ongoing efforts to implement agreements reached during the peace process.
Despite the tensions, the United Nations peacekeeping mission in RDC (MONUSCO) has welcomed progress made in recent talks, while urging an end to the use of combat drones to facilitate effective monitoring of the ceasefire.
During the Montreux negotiations, both parties also agreed on urgent humanitarian access to affected populations and committed to the release of detainees within 10 days, in line with a prior agreement signed on September 14 last year outlining prisoner release arrangements.
Although the final communiqué did not specify exact figures, AFC/M23 delegation head and permanent secretary Benjamin Mbonimpa confirmed that the agreement covers the release of 311 detainees linked to AFC/M23 and 166 individuals held by government authorities.
