Africa-Press – Rwanda. The Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), which includes M23 rebels in eastern DR Congo warned of increasing military reinforcements in South Kivu province the Congolese armed forces (FARDC) and their allied Burundian National Defence Forces which could violate a unilateral ceasefire declared by the AFC/M23 on February 4.
The rebels’ spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said these developments threaten ongoing peace efforts, including the February 8 EAC-SADC summit in Dar es Salaam, where regional leaders called for dialogue instead of military action as way to end the conflict.
In a Tuesday, February 11 statement, Kanyuka accused the Congolese government and its allies of disregarding the unilateral ceasefire.
“We are reliably informed about FARDC and Burundian reinforcements planning to attack the populated liberated areas of Kalehe and Nyabibwe. Such attacks will provoke a decisive retaliation,” said Kanyuka.
M23 recently captured the towns of Kalehe and Nyabibwe last week, after taking Goma, North Kivu’s provincial capital on January 27.
The group has accused Kinshasa of prolonging the conflict by pursuing a military approach rather than engaging in negotiations.
On Monday, the rebels said they would advance on Bukavu, the provincial capital of South Kivu, where government soldiers are accused of committing abuses in recent days.
Congolese media reports said local authorities arrested 84 soldiers accused of killing at least 10 civilians in the territories of Bukavu, Kabare, Katana, and Kavumu.
AFC/M23 said they welcomed the resolutions of the SADC-EAC summit and reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful negotiations, with Kanyuka saying the group is “eager to have its voice heard and to ensure that the root causes of the conflicts are addressed.”
The Congolese government coalition also includes forces from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the genocidal FDLR militia, European mercenaries and Wazalendo armed groups.
“The crimes committed in Bukavu by the coalition forces of the Kinshasa regime must stop immediately; otherwise, we will have no choice but to intervene to protect the Congolese population,” Kanyuka warned.
Call for withdrawal of foreign forces
AFC/M23 has urged Burundi and SADC member states to withdraw their forces from eastern DRC in line with commitments made in Dar es Salaam.
“We expect Burundi and SADC member states to contribute to peace in the DRC by ensuring the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of SAMIDRC and BNDF forces,” Kanyuka said.
He urged the SADC and Burundian troops to withdraw from DR Congo.
Kanyuka said that Goma airport remains closed due to unexploded ordnance and runway damage but said road and lake routes are open for withdrawal.
“We request SAMIDRC forces to take the alternative routes as the airport remains non-operational.”
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