By KEN R| April 26, 2026
Lawrence Kanyuka, spokesperson for the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC-M23), has issued a strong condemnation of what the group describes as renewed attacks by forces aligned with the Kinshasa government on civilian areas in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
In a statement released on Sunday, April 26, 2026, Kanyuka reported that from 7:45 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, until 5:30 a.m. on Sunday, coalition forces carried out sustained and simultaneous bombardments on densely populated zones including Gakenke, Mikenke, and surrounding areas in the Minembwe region of South Kivu.
According to the AFC-M23 statement, the attacks involved kamikaze combat drones and KT-6 type drones, resulting in civilian casualties, destruction of homes, and widespread damage to property. The group claims these actions deliberately targeted populated communities and represent a “flagrant and repeated violation” of the ceasefire.
“These bombardments have caused innocent civilian victims and devastated homes and belongings, plunging entire families into distress and chaos,” the statement reads. “They form part of a deliberate strategy of terror aimed at breaking communities.”
The AFC-M23 called on the Congolese people and the international community to witness what it termed “these massacres,” warning that silence and inaction in the face of such crimes cannot be tolerated.
Context of Ongoing Tensions
This latest accusation comes amid fragile peace efforts, including recent talks in Switzerland between the Kinshasa government and the AFC-M23 delegations. Both sides have repeatedly traded claims of ceasefire violations in the Minembwe area and other parts of eastern DRC in recent weeks.
The Minembwe highlands have seen recurrent clashes involving government forces, local militias, and rebel groups, exacerbating a long-running humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC that has displaced hundreds of thousands.
No immediate comment from Kinshasa authorities was available at the time of publication. The situation on the ground continues to evolve rapidly.
