The M23 Movement has strongly criticised the international community for what it describes as silence in the face of a large-scale offensive by the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which it says has caused civilian casualties and mass displacement.
In a statement released on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said the attacks marked a “new threshold of violence” by the Kinshasa government.
According to Kanyuka, the Congolese military deployed armed drones and heavy artillery to strike densely populated areas as well as M23 positions, actions he described as blatant violations of international humanitarian law.
The strikes reportedly began at 9:00 a.m. in Rutigita, Minembwe, continued at 10:30 a.m. in Kitazungura in Kalehe Territory, and by midday targeted Rugezi and surrounding areas of Minembwe.
“These deadly aggressions are causing human casualties, mass displacement of civilian populations, and fueling an extreme humanitarian crisis,” Kanyuka said, stressing the impact on local communities.
Bertrand Bisimwa, deputy coordinator of AFC/M23, said the offensive signalled a deliberate decision by the Congolese government to escalate the conflict, in violation of existing ceasefire agreements.
“We cannot help but express our deep concern over the absence, at this stage, of any clear and visible initiative aimed at bringing an immediate halt to this government offensive. There has been no public reprimand, no condemnation… no discernible action seems to have been taken to prevent the risk of escalation,” Bisimwa said.
He added that the muted response contrasts with what he described as swift international reactions when the movement “is forced to exercise its legitimate right to self-defence in the face of direct attacks.”
The Congolese government had not immediately responded to the allegations at the time of publication.
