M23 Warns Against Attacks, Calls for Talks with DRC Government
GOMA, February 1, 2025 – The M23 rebel group, now operating as Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23), has issued a strong warning to the Congolese government while reaffirming its call for direct negotiations to resolve the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC.
In an official communiqué released from Goma, AFC/M23 cautioned the Kinshasa regime against launching any offensive, stating that the government lacks the means and capability for a successful attack. “Should the regime attempt any aggression, it will bear full responsibility for the consequences,” the statement read.
The group also urged FARDC soldiers, police officers, and Wazalendo militia members still in hiding to surrender voluntarily at Stade de l’Unité, assuring them that they would be treated as Congolese citizens without hostility. Those sheltering them were encouraged to facilitate their safe return.
AFC/M23 reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue with the DRC government, emphasizing the need to address the root causes of the conflict for lasting peace. The communiqué concluded with a warning against “fraudulent solicitations and fake news” allegedly spread by the Kinshasa regime.
The situation in eastern DRC remains tense as clashes continue, despite regional and international efforts to mediate a peaceful resolution.
