The Allied Forces of the Congolese Patriots/M23 (AFC/M23), through its political coordinator Corneille Nangaa, has sharply criticized President Félix Tshisekedi’s recent “irresponsible” and “warlike” rhetoric delivered during a speech in Houston, USA, following the DRC-Portugal World Cup match. The Congolese head of state specifically addressed the security situation in eastern DRC, vowing to swiftly reclaim territories under the movement’s control.

During a press briefing in Goma, North Kivu’s capital, on June 18, 2026, Nangaa reaffirmed the movement’s commitment to defend itself against threats from Kinshasa. He expressed bewilderment at the international community’s silence, suggesting it amounts to complicity in light of Kinshasa’s intensified military operations in violation of peace agreements and diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation.

“In the face of this dire situation, and considering the resulting calamities, we have a duty—before God, history, and our nation—to acknowledge this deafening silence from mediators and peace process partners, which borders on complicity. The international community possesses detailed information about ground realities, the staggering civilian death toll, and the perpetrators of these atrocities,” Nangaa stated.

He continued, emphasizing the gravity of the situation:

“Peace talks mediators in Doha, diplomatic missions, international agencies, and human rights organizations are fully aware of the deteriorating security and humanitarian crisis, particularly in the Minembwe Highlands. This inaction fuels impunity and emboldens further violence.”

Nangaa also condemned what he described as a persistent minimization of eastern DRC’s security crisis, accusing Félix Tshisekedi of systematically undermining peace efforts despite the international partners’ ostensible support for the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“We refuse to accept that the suffering of eastern Congolese citizens be treated as a peripheral tragedy, often dismissed as happening over 2,000 kilometers from Kinshasa. Every human life deserves equal protection and consideration. We call attention to the numerous obstacles, deceptions, manipulations, and intrigues orchestrated by President Félix Tshisekedi and his international allies, which gravely undermine peace efforts in the DRC,” Nangaa declared.

He further highlighted the contradiction between military escalation and genuine peace efforts:

“The continuous deployment of additional military forces directly contradicts any sincere de-escalation process. Despite the AFC/M23 releasing hundreds of prisoners of war as a confidence-building measure, Kinshasa has failed to reciprocate with any meaningful commitments.”

This verbal standoff between Kinshasa—represented by Félix Tshisekedi—and the AFC/M23, reportedly backed by Rwanda, unfolds amid diplomatic initiatives such as the Washington Accords and Doha peace talks. These efforts aim to establish a durable ceasefire and restart dialogue between conflict parties in eastern DRC. However, tangible progress on the ground remains elusive, with hostilities persisting between rebels and government forces.

Calls for respect of peace agreement commitments continue to resonate at national, regional, and international levels. Yet, these appeals have so far yielded no significant results. The gap between diplomatic progress on paper and the harsh realities on the ground persists, with each party interpreting agreements through its own lens, rendering their implementation increasingly uncertain.

Clément Muamba