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'Consequences of war remain' - DRC accuses Rwanda, M23/AFC of continued attacks on civilians despite agreements

"The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo accused AFC, M23 and the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) on Saturday of continuing attacks on civilians and strategic infrastructure in eastern DRC despite ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the armed conflict. "Despite diplomatic efforts undertaken at the national, regional and international levels, as well as commitments made within the framework of the Washington and Doha processes, the RDF/AFC/M23 coalition continues its hostile actions against the Democratic Republic of Congo," Army spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Mongba Hazukay Mak said during a press conference. "The security situation remains marked by the ongoing consequences of the war of aggression suffered by the Democratic Republic of Congo in its eastern part, as well as by the activities of armed and terrorist groups operating in certain areas of the national territory," he stressed. According to the army, clashes and attacks continue in several areas of North Kivu and the highlands of South Kivu, where the RDF and armed groups are accused of targeting civilians, military positions and strategic infrastructure, causing deaths, displacement and material damage. Mak said the groups had repeatedly used drones to target Bangboka International Airport in recent months, describing the attacks as evidence of a continued threat to national security and key state infrastructure. "The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo remain vigilant in the face of this threat and are continuing the necessary measures to secure strategic infrastructure and protect civilian populations," he noted. The military also said operations against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) remain ongoing in North Kivu and Ituri provinces, where Mak claimed armed group continue to carry out attacks against civilians despite sustained military pressure. "These terrorists continue to pose a serious threat to civilian populations," Man warned. "In the Mambasa territory and the Beni region, several civilians have been killed in recent days, including members of the indigenous Pygmy communities." The army added that operations against ADF-linked groups in Haut-Uele have helped maintain a generally stable security situation in affected areas. Clashes have continued in eastern DRC despite a ceasefire brokered by the United States and an accompanying economic agreement. Kinshasa has repeatedly accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebel movement, an allegation Kigali denies. On March 2, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on the Rwandan Defence Force and four senior commanders, accusing them of violating the Washington Accords by continuing to support M23 operations, including the capture of the eastern Congolese city of Uvira in December. The conflict has left over five million people displaced, as 15 million require humanitarian assistance. About 337,000 Congolese civilians found shelter in refugee camps across neighbouring Burundi and Tanzania."