The March 23 Movement/Alliance Fleuve Congo (M23/AFC) has denied allegations that its fighters killed 10 civilians in Rutshuru Territory, North Kivu Province, in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The allegations were made on Wednesday, 3 June 2026, by Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mark Mongba Hazukay, who said the civilians were killed on 2 June 2026 in Kiseguru locality near Virunga National Park in Binza Groupement, Bwito Chiefdom.
According to Hazukay, M23 fighters also arrested several civilians and transferred them to Kanyangambi Central Prison in Rutshuru Centre.
He alleged that those detained were accused of being members of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a predominantly Hutu rebel group operating in eastern DRC.
Hazukay condemned what he described as a violation of international humanitarian law and reiterated the Congolese army’s commitment to protecting civilians and maintaining national territorial integrity.
However, M23/AFC spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka dismissed the claims, describing them as false, unfounded, and politically motivated.
He argued that the allegations are part of a coordinated disinformation campaign by the Kinshasa government aimed at diverting attention from abuses allegedly committed by government-aligned forces.
The two sides continue to trade accusations amid ongoing tensions in eastern DRC.
By Newsroom
5th June 2026
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