The AFC/M23, through its political coordinator Corneille Nangaa, on Thursday condemned what it termed the “irresponsible” and “war-mongering” rhetoric of President Félix Tshisekedi. This denunciation follows a speech delivered by the Congolese head of state in Houston, United States, to a segment of the Congolese diaspora after a World Cup match between the DRC and Portugal. During his address, President Tshisekedi notably commented on the security situation in the eastern region of the country, vowing the imminent recapture of territories under the control of this politico-military movement.

Speaking from Goma, the capital of Nord-Kivu province, on Thursday, June 18, 2026, Corneille Nangaa reiterated his movement’s resolve to defend itself against Kinshasa’s threats. He expressed profound dismay at the international community’s stance toward Félix Tshisekedi’s actions. Nangaa suggested that their inaction bordered on complicity, especially given that the international community is reportedly well-informed about the ground realities, including intense governmental attacks that violate existing commitments and ongoing diplomatic initiatives aimed at de-escalating the conflict.

“In the face of this dire situation and the ensuing calamities, we bear the responsibility, before God, History, and the Nation, to highlight this deafening silence from mediators and partners in the peace process, which verges on complicity. This is particularly concerning as the international community possesses detailed intelligence on the actual situation on the ground, the massive civilian casualties, and the perpetrators of these crimes,” Corneille Nangaa declared.

He further elaborated:

“The mediators of the Doha peace talks, diplomatic missions, international agencies, and human rights organizations are fully apprised of the continuous deterioration of the security and humanitarian conditions across the region, especially in the Hauts-Plateaux of Minembwe. This lack of intervention only reinforces a sense of impunity and fuels the continuation of violence.”

Mr. Nangaa also criticized what he perceives as a tendency to downplay the severity of the security crisis in Eastern DRC. According to him, Félix Tshisekedi consistently undermines peace efforts, seemingly under the helpless gaze of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s international partners.

“We refuse to allow the suffering of the populations in Eastern Congo to be treated as a peripheral tragedy occurring, as they frequently claim, over 2,000 kilometers from Kinshasa. Every human life merits equal protection and consideration. We draw everyone’s attention to the numerous obstacles, deceptions, manipulations, political maneuvers, and intrigues orchestrated by Mr. Félix Tshisekedi and his international partners, which continue to severely jeopardize peace initiatives in the Democratic Republic of Congo,” the political coordinator of the politico-military movement lamented.

He added:

“The reinforcement of military assets and the ongoing deployment of additional forces on the ground directly contradict a genuine de-escalation process. Many commitments made within the framework of the peace process remain unfulfilled. While the AFC/M23 released several hundred prisoners of war as a confidence-building measure, the reciprocal commitments expected from the Kinshasa regime have seen no implementation.”

This latest verbal exchange between Kinshasa, led by Félix Tshisekedi, and the AFC/M23 rebellion, which is supported by Rwanda, unfolds amidst ongoing diplomatic endeavors. These include the Washington accords and the Doha process, both aimed at establishing a lasting ceasefire and rekindling dialogue between the parties embroiled in the protracted conflict plaguing Eastern DRC. However, these initiatives have yet to yield tangible outcomes on the ground, where hostilities between the rebellion and government forces persist. The persistent gap between ground realities and documented diplomatic progress remains a significant challenge, with each party interpreting agreement provisions according to its own agenda, rendering their effective implementation increasingly uncertain.