The Allied Forces of Congo (AFC)/March 23 Movement (M23) has launched a scathing attack on international mediators and partners involved in the peace process in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Through its political coordinator, Corneille Nangaa, the movement accused these stakeholders of silent complicity in what it describes as Kinshasa’s systematic sabotage of diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.

Speaking at a press conference in Goma, North Kivu province, Nangaa condemned President Félix Tshisekedi’s irresponsible and bellicose rhetoric during his recent address to Congolese expatriates in Houston, United States. The president had reaffirmed his commitment to military reconquest of territories controlled by the AFC/M23 movement, escalating tensions in an already volatile region.

The AFC/M23 coordinator expressed bewilderment at the international community’s inaction in the face of Kinshasa’s military escalation, which he claims violates both previous commitments and ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation. According to Nangaa, the silence of mediators and peace partners approaches complicity, particularly as these actors possess detailed information about the ground reality.

“In the face of this tragic situation and the resulting calamities, we have a responsibility before God, History, and the Nation to acknowledge this deafening silence from the mediation and peace process partners, which borders on complicity. Especially since the international community possesses detailed information about the ground realities, the massive civilian casualties, and the perpetrators of these crimes,” declared Corneille Nangaa.

Nangaa further criticized the downplaying of the security situation in eastern DRC, accusing President Tshisekedi of compromising peace efforts despite the watchful yet powerless gaze of international partners. He emphasized that the suffering of eastern Congolese populations must not be treated as a peripheral tragedy occurring “over 2,000 kilometers from Kinshasa.”

“We refuse to accept that the suffering of populations in eastern Congo be treated as a peripheral tragedy happening, as they often put it, more than 2,000 kilometers from Kinshasa. Every human life deserves equal protection and consideration. We call on everyone to recognize the numerous obstacles, deceptions, manipulations, and intrigues orchestrated by Mr. Félix Tshisekedi and his international partners, which gravely undermine peace efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” lamented the AFC/M23 political coordinator.

The movement also highlighted the contradiction between military reinforcements and the stated commitment to de-escalation. While the AFC/M23 has released hundreds of prisoners of war as a confidence-building measure, the reciprocal commitments expected from the Kinshasa regime have yet to materialize, Nangaa pointed out.

These verbal exchanges between Kinshasa and the AFC/M23—supported by Rwanda—occur against a backdrop of stalled diplomatic initiatives, including the Washington Accords and the Doha peace talks, aimed at establishing a durable ceasefire and reviving dialogue among conflict stakeholders. However, these efforts have yet to yield tangible results on the ground, where hostilities continue unabated between the rebellion and government forces.

As the humanitarian and security crisis in eastern DRC deepens, calls for respect for peace commitments are growing louder at national, regional, and international levels. Yet, these appeals have so far yielded little concrete progress. The persistent gap between diplomatic advances on paper and the harsh realities on the ground remains a critical challenge, with each party interpreting agreements according to its own narrative, further complicating their implementation.