New Drone Strike Allegations Undermine Montreux Commitments

Kinshasa, April 20, 2026 - Just days after the conclusion of the latest round of peace talks in Montreux, Switzerland, the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and the AFC/M23 rebellion have exchanged fresh accusations over alleged drone strikes in eastern DRC, casting renewed doubt on the fragile implementation of recent agreements. The talks, held under Qatari mediation and involving observers from the United States, Switzerland, and the African Union, had ended with commitments to strengthen humanitarian access, release detainees, and operationalize a joint ceasefire verification mechanism. However, tensions quickly resurfaced over the weekend. The Congolese army accused AFC/M23, allegedly supported by the Rwandan military, of carrying out drone strikes on April 18 targeting FARDC positions in Mikenge and Kakenge, as well as civilian areas in the Mwenga and Fizi highlands of South Kivu. According to the military spokesperson, the attacks caused civilian casualties, including four deaths and eight injuries, among them women and children. The AFC/M23, for its part, rejected the accusations and instead alleged that government forces and their allies conducted drone and artillery strikes on populated areas in South Kivu and North Kivu, including Minembwe and Masisi territories. The mutual accusations of aerial attacks highlight the continuing fragility of the ceasefire process, despite recent diplomatic advances. Observers note that the use of drones and long-range strikes has become a central point of contention between the two sides. In response to rising tensions, the United Nations peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO) reiterated its call for an end to the use of offensive drones and electronic interference with navigation systems, stressing that such practices undermine efforts to monitor the ceasefire effectively. Meanwhile, the Montreux negotiations produced additional commitments, including an agreement to proceed with the release of detainees within ten days, as part of a broader prisoner exchange mechanism previously agreed in September 2025. Although the exact figures were not formally published in the final communiqué, AFC/M23 representatives indicated that over 300 detainees linked to the movement and more than 160 government-held prisoners could be affected. The parties also signed a memorandum of understanding to operationalize an expanded joint verification mechanism aimed at monitoring compliance with the ceasefire and investigating violations on the ground. Despite these diplomatic steps, the rapid exchange of accusations underscores the continued volatility of the conflict and the challenges facing efforts to translate agreements into lasting stability in eastern DRC.

Faits rapportés

Kinshasa, April 20, 2026 - Just days after the conclusion of the latest round of peace talks in Montreux, Switzerland, the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and the AFC/M23 rebellion have exchanged fresh accusations over alleged drone strikes in eastern DRC, casting renewed doubt on the fragile implementation of recent agreements. The talks, held under Qatari mediation and involving observers from the United States, Switzerland, and the African Union, had ended with commitments to strengthen humanitarian access, release detainees, and operationalize a joint ceasefire verification mechanism. However, tensions quickly resurfaced over the weekend. The Congolese army accused AFC/M23, allegedly supported by the Rwandan military, of carrying out drone strikes on April 18 targeting FARDC positions in Mikenge and Kakenge, as well as civilian areas in the Mwenga and Fizi highlands of South Kivu. According to the military spokesperson, the attacks caused civilian casualties, including four deaths and eight injuries, among them women and children. The AFC/M23, for its part, rejected the accusations and instead alleged that government forces and their allies conducted drone and artillery strikes on populated areas in South Kivu and North Kivu, including Minembwe and Masisi territories. The mutual accusations of aerial attacks highlight the continuing fragility of the ceasefire process, despite recent diplomatic advances. Observers note that the use of drones and long-range strikes has become a central point of contention between the two sides. In response to rising tensions, the United Nations peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO) reiterated its call for an end to the use of offensive drones and electronic interference with navigation systems, stressing that such practices undermine efforts to monitor the ceasefire effectively. Meanwhile, the Montreux negotiations produced additional commitments, including an agreement to proceed with the release of detainees within ten days, as part of a broader prisoner exchange mechanism previously agreed in September 2025. Although the exact figures were not formally published in the final communiqué, AFC/M23 representatives indicated that over 300 detainees linked to the movement and more than 160 government-held prisoners could be affected. The parties also signed a memorandum of understanding to operationalize an expanded joint verification mechanism aimed at monitoring compliance with the ceasefire and investigating violations on the ground. Despite these diplomatic steps, the rapid exchange of accusations underscores the continued volatility of the conflict and the challenges facing efforts to translate agreements into lasting stability in eastern DRC.