AFC/M23 Accuses DRC Forces of Ceasefire Violation in South Kivu

The AFC/M23 coalition has accused the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) armed forces of attacking its positions in the Makabola area, South Kivu province, on the morning of December 19, 2025, alleging a serious violation of the ceasefire.

According to Lawrence Kanyuka, spokesperson for AFC/M23, the operation involved combat drones and naval forces deployed from the town of Baraka, in Fizi Territory. He claimed that nearby civilian areas, including Makabola and the Minembwe region, were also hit with drones and heavy weapons, leaving local populations in a state of shock.

In a statement, Kanyuka called on Congolese authorities and international partners to bear witness to what he described as a breach of the ceasefire, warning that the attacks could lead to further casualties among AFC/M23 fighters and civilians.

The coalition said the incident highlights what it views as the DRC government’s lack of commitment to peace, accusing state forces of continued abuses against civilians without accountability.

The alleged attacks occurred shortly after AFC/M23 withdrew its fighters from the city of Uvira, which it said it had taken on December 9, describing the move as an effort to facilitate peace negotiations with the DRC government in Doha, Qatar.

Before its withdrawal, AFC/M23 appealed to mediators, including the United States, Qatar, and the African Union (AU), to establish a credible mechanism for civilian protection. The group also warned against the return of DRC, Burundian, Wazalendo, and FDLR forces to Uvira, accusing them of having committed abuses against the civilian population during their previous control of the city.