The Congo River Alliance (AFC), a coalition of insurgent groups including the M23 rebels, accused the Congolese government on Monday of undermining efforts to end conflict in the country’s east.
The alliance said Kinshasa had repeatedly violated ceasefire terms agreed under a Qatari-mediated framework signed in July, which committed both sides to begin negotiations by August 8 and conclude a deal by August 18. Those deadlines have since passed without progress.
“We are obliged to inform the Congolese people and the international community of successive violations of the ceasefire that are blocking the principle agreement,” AFC leader Corneille Nangaa told reporters. He accused government forces and allied militias of carrying out fresh attacks in South Kivu province.
Fighting in eastern Congo has escalated this year, with the M23 launching an offensive that enabled it to seize the two largest cities in the region.
The Congolese government has not commented on the latest accusations. President Félix Tshisekedi, addressing his supporters on Saturday, said dialogue would only be possible “with Congolese who want to rebuild their country and emerge from the crisis.”
Nangaa called on Qatari mediators, the African Union and the United Nations to pressure Kinshasa to respect its commitments, warning of an “appropriate response” to any further attacks.