AFC/M23 Accuses DRC Government of Genocide Amid Ongoing Violence

January 2, 2026 - Eastern DRC The AFC/M23 Alliance has accused the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government of committing acts of genocide, condemning what it describes as systematic attacks against civilians in the eastern regions of the country. The statement, released on January 2, 2026, cites widespread human rights violations, targeting women, and looting by Congolese government forces in areas including Uvira, Makobola, Kamanyola, Luvungi, and Sange. According to the group, Kamanyola alone saw eight people killed and 55 others injured, while civilians in Uvira faced violent suppression during a peaceful demonstration on December 22, 2025, where heavy weaponry was reportedly used against protesters. The statement criticized the DRC government under President Félix Tshisekedi, accusing it of prioritizing military expenditures, such as drones, over the protection of civilians in the eastern provinces. AFC/M23 further condemned: Deliberate violations of the ceasefire agreement Hate crimes and ethnically motivated torture Systematic attacks on populated areas and AFC/M23 positions by land, sea, and air Hate speech propagated by former FARDC Military Spokesperson, Gen Maj Sylvain Ekenge, in an interview aired on RTNC on December 27, 2025 The group emphasized that these actions contravene international principles against genocide, including those adopted in 1948, and constitute a campaign of persecution, exclusion, and oppression against Tutsi communities in the DRC. AFC/M23 reiterated its commitment to defending those affected, protecting their security, dignity, and fundamental rights, stating: “We are on the side of those who continue to be oppressed and will continue to make efforts to protect them against this murderous regime.” The alliance called on the international community to recognize these violations and take notice of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC.