Africa-Press – Rwanda. The AFC/M23 rebel movement has accused the government of DR Congo of carrying out attacks using drones and heavy artillery in violation of the ceasefire, even as both parties continue peace talks in Doha, Qatar.
This comes a day after the two parties missed a deadline they had set to sign a peace agreement.
In a statement released Tuesday, August 19, Lawrence Kanyuka, spokesperson of the rebels who control two largest cities in eastern DR Congo, said the government coalition had launched “systematic, criminal attacks on densely populated areas using kamikaze drones and heavy artillery, in coordination with the Burundian government.”
The accusations came on the same day M23 confirmed sending a delegation to Doha to discuss the “practical arrangements” for the implementation of the Declaration of Principles signed on July 19 with Kinshasa. The Congolese government also dispatched its representatives, according to media reports.
“These actions constitute a flagrant violation of the ceasefire and amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity,” Kanyuka added in a statement.
The statement cited deployments of Congolese government forces (FARDC), Burundian forces, FDLR, and allied militias across Uvira, Bijombo, Ndondo, Gifuni, Rurambo, and other areas as evidence of escalating hostilities.
The rebel group warned of “an unprecedented humanitarian crisis caused by the terrorist forces of the Kinshasa regime” and said it was committed to the protection of civilians and pursuing a negotiated settlement of the three-decade conflict.
The declaration of principles signed in Doha on July 19 was expected to pave the way for a comprehensive peace agreement, but a planned signing ceremony scheduled for Monday in the Qatari capital did not take place.
The rebels said a peace agreement could be reached if key provisions of the declaration, such as the release of prisoners and the monitoring of the ceasefire, are implemented.
The Congolese army and the AFC/M23 last week accused each other of violating the ceasefire, a development that raised concerns that the Qatar-media peace talks could be stalled.
Kanyuka said on August 11 that the government coalition had deployed troops and military equipment to new fronts along the axes of Kindu-Shabunda, Kinshasa-Bujumbura, Kisangani-Walikale, and Kalemie-Uvira, describing it as “a clear escalation strategy.”
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