Congo (Kinshasa) Military Accuses Rebel Groups of Violating Ceasefire Agreement

Xinhua News Agency, Kinshasa, February 20 (Reporter Shi Yu) The Congolese military issued a statement on the 20th saying that the anti-government armed group "M23 Movement" violated the ceasefire arrangement proposed by Angola, launching attacks in multiple locations in eastern Congo (DRC) recently, resulting in civilian casualties.

The statement said that from the 18th to the 19th, the "M23 Movement" launched attacks on several government military positions in North Kivu Province and multiple villages in South Kivu Province, causing civilian casualties. The Congolese military accused the "M23 Movement" of repeatedly undermining the peace process while promising to continue adhering to the ceasefire arrangement proposed by Angola. The statement did not specify details of the casualties.

The "M23 Movement" issued a statement on the 19th, accusing the Congolese military of launching attacks in multiple locations in South Kivu Province recently, violating the ceasefire consensus.

The Angolan presidential office issued a communiqué on the 11th stating that after consultations with relevant parties, Angolan President Lourenço proposed a ceasefire between the Congolese government and the anti-government armed group "M23 Movement" starting from 12:00 on February 18, 2026. On the 13th, the Congolese presidential office released a communiqué stating that Congolese President Tshisekedi had "accepted the principles of the ceasefire."

Since January 2025, tensions in eastern Congo (DRC) have escalated sharply, with the "M23 Movement" continuously launching offensives in North Kivu Province, South Kivu Province, and other areas, resulting in numerous civilian casualties and displacements.