GOMA, Aug 25 (AGCNewsNet) – The AFC/M23 rebel movement in eastern DR Congo has accused the Congolese government coalition of deploying foreign mercenaries to carry out drone attacks on densely populated areas, in what it described as a violation of the July ceasefire.

“Since 12:00 p.m. this Sunday, August 24, 2025, these forces, composed notably of foreign mercenaries, have been conducting an offensive targeting the densely populated areas of Kadasomwa and its surroundings as well as our positions,” M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said in a statement posted on X.

Kanyuka alleged that the strikes caused significant civilian casualties and triggered fresh displacements of residents fleeing the bombings. He warned that the rebels would be forced to “eliminate the threat at its source.”

The accusations came hours after reports that M23 rebels had seized Rubumba, a small town in South Kivu near Uvira. The group already controls Bukavu, the provincial capital, since February, as well as Goma, the capital of North Kivu.

M23 claims hundreds of European mercenaries surrendered when the rebels captured Goma in January, before being allowed safe passage through Rwanda. However, the group now alleges the government has recruited new mercenaries from Latin America to continue the fight.

“Contrary to the Goma scenario, where hundreds of mercenaries were allowed to return unpunished to their homes after massacring our compatriots, their new murderous campaign will guarantee them no safe return,” Kanyuka said.

Renewed clashes have flared since early August, following the failure of a Qatar-mediated peace deadline on August 18. Although talks resumed in Doha a day later, M23 leaders have said their delegation will only discuss ceasefire and prisoner-release mechanisms before moving to substantive peace negotiations.

“Yes, it’s true, we have a delegation in Doha,” deputy leader Bertrand Bisimwa confirmed at a press briefing in Goma. “The delegation is there to discuss only the ceasefire mechanisms and the prisoner release mechanisms to move forward. When we finish this step, we can move on to something else.”

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