Eastern DRC conflict: FARDC denies community extermination claims amid AFC/M23 identity politics
Eastern DR Congo: Army Rejects Genocide Allegations, Warns Against AFC/M23 Identity Manipulation
- Security
The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) have strongly denied allegations of community extermination in eastern DR Congo, accusing the AFC/M23 coalition of orchestrating a campaign of misinformation to serve its political agenda.
FARDC’s Firm Response to AFC/M23’s Allegations
The FARDC issued a formal statement through Lieutenant-Colonel Mak Hazukay Mongba, interim spokesman, rejecting claims made by AFC/M23 leaders during a recent press conference in Goma. The army dismissed these accusations as completely unfounded, asserting they were designed to distract from the coalition’s own violations and responsibility for ongoing conflict.
“The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo categorically reject allegations of massacres, extermination or persecution directed against any Congolese community. These claims are entirely baseless,” the statement read, adding that multiple United Nations and international human rights reports have documented grave violations attributed to the RDF-AFC/M23 coalition, including summary executions, civilian assassinations, abductions, forced recruitment, sexual violence, and mass population displacements.
Identity Politics as a Weapon of Division
The FARDC accused AFC/M23 of attempting to exploit ethnic and linguistic divisions to destabilize national cohesion. According to the army, this strategy seeks to artificially pit eastern populations against other Congolese communities, undermining national unity and serving the coalition’s military objectives.
“This campaign aims to artificially pit Congolese populations in eastern DR Congo against their compatriots in other provinces, weakening national cohesion to serve AFC/M23’s political and military goals. The FARDC emphasize they are a national, republican and inclusive army composed of Congolese from all provinces,” the statement warned.
Protecting Civilians Amid Ongoing Conflict
The army highlighted that civilians remain the primary victims of AFC/M23’s aggression in eastern provinces. “For years, these populations have endured insecurity, forced displacement, and human rights violations linked to this coalition’s activities,” the FARDC noted, stressing their constitutional duty to protect citizens and national territory.
“The FARDC warns against any propaganda, disinformation or hate speech that could compromise national cohesion, public safety, or peace restoration efforts in affected areas,” the communiqué concluded. “The army remains fully committed to its constitutional mission to defend territorial integrity and neutralize hostile forces threatening national sovereignty.”
Context: Rising Tensions and Escalating Violence
The FARDC’s statement comes at a time of heightened tensions between Kinshasa and AFC/M23, with continued hostilities in eastern DR Congo. On June 18, AFC/M23 leaders accused the Congolese government of violating ceasefire agreements and condemned the deteriorating humanitarian situation across South Kivu’s highlands.
Coordinator Corneille Nangaa notably alleged that military operations in the region targeted the Banyamulenge community, accusing drone strikes of being used to “exterminate” the group and challenge their Congolese identity.