AFC/M23 Accuses Kinshasa of Attacks Ahead of Switzerland Peace Talks

Goma April 12, 2026 - The AFC/M23 coalition has accused the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo of carrying out attacks against civilians in the Minembwe area, alleging that the operations are intended to undermine upcoming peace negotiations scheduled in Switzerland. In a statement released by spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka, the group claimed that Congolese forces conducted drone and artillery strikes between the night of April 11 and early April 12 in densely populated areas of Minembwe and surrounding localities. Kanyuka described the operations as a “deliberate attempt to undermine the talks taking place in Switzerland,” adding that continued military activity ahead of negotiations reflects what the group sees as non-compliance with agreed ceasefire commitments. The peace talks between the two parties are scheduled to take place from April 13 to 17, 2026, with mediation led by Qatar and logistical arrangements involving Swiss hosts, following earlier rounds of discussions held in Doha. Some reports indicate that parts of the dialogue may be conducted remotely, depending on security and logistical constraints. The upcoming negotiations are expected to focus on humanitarian access, ceasefire implementation, and mechanisms to monitor compliance on the ground in eastern Congo, where fighting between government forces and the AFC/M23 coalition has continued. The coalition maintains that continued military operations ahead of the talks risk derailing diplomatic efforts, while regional and international actors continue to press both sides to maintain conditions conducive to dialogue.