AFC/M23 has accused the United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) and several international human rights organizations of “complicit silence” amid ongoing violence against civilians in the eastern DRC.
Spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka made the statement on Thursday, condemning what he describes as systematic oppression, killings, and attempts by the Kinshasa regime to silence dissenting voices.
He criticized the perceived inaction of international bodies, saying their silence effectively makes them “moral accomplices in a machine that crushes lives and freedoms.”
“The inaction and silence of these international institutions constitute tacit support for a system that oppresses, kills, and silences Congolese citizens,” Kanyuka said.
He added that the “bloodshed and normalized terror” in several regions have gone unaddressed.
The declaration comes amid ongoing human rights violations in conflict-affected areas across the DRC.
The AFC/M23, positioning itself as a defender of local populations, reaffirmed its commitment to protecting civilians, highlighting deep divergences between armed actors and international institutions on accountability.
While the OHCHR, mandated by the UN to monitor and document violations in the DRC, has yet to respond publicly, Kanyuka’s statement emphasizes the need for stronger international action and exposes challenges in coordinating humanitarian oversight in Central Africa.