AFC/M23 Complains Peace Gains Limited Despite Withdrawal, During UN Visit to Goma

Goma, May 3, 2026 - The situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo remains tense as the Congo River Alliance and its armed wing, the March 23 Movement, met with a senior United Nations delegation during a field visit to Goma, North Kivu province.

The discussions took place during the visit of James Swan, who is also Head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). He was received on April 24 by AFC/M23 leaders, including Corneille Nangaa and Bertrand Bisimwa.

During the meeting, AFC/M23 representatives presented their assessment of the security and socio-economic situation in areas under their control, claiming improvements in public order and service delivery since their administration took hold.

According to AFC/M23 coordinator Corneille Nangaa, basic services such as healthcare, education, water, electricity, sanitation, and cross-border trade have been restored in territories they control. He also stated that civilian life had stabilized and that infrastructure rehabilitation efforts were underway.

The group further argued that trade corridors and humanitarian access routes through Goma and Bukavu are functioning, despite what they describe as financial and banking restrictions imposed by the central government in Kinshasa.

However, the movement expressed concern over the situation in Uvira, stating that its withdrawal from the area-done, according to them, in “good faith” to support peace efforts-had not produced the expected improvements in security.

Nangaa claimed that civilians in parts of South Kivu remain exposed to violence, including killings, displacement, and destruction of property, blaming government forces and allied armed actors for continued instability.