Speaking at a press conference on September 1, 2025, Nangaa criticized President Félix Tshisekedi's administration for failing to pursue peace despite having signed the Declaration of Principles, with Qatar acting as mediator.
'AFC/M23 warns Mr. Félix Tshisekedi against the new offensives by his coalition of genocidaires, and it reserves the right to destroy them immediately. Let it be clear: they will face the necessary response until this evil is eliminated at its source,' Nangaa declared.
He explained that the DRC's coalition had deployed 12,000 troops into the mountains of Uvira Territory, including Congolese soldiers, Burundian forces, FDLR fighters, Wazalendo militias, and members of the Imbonerakure youth wing, to prepare for what he described as large-scale assaults.
According to Nangaa, Kinshasa has also violated earlier commitments by refusing to release 700 prisoners, including M23 members and suspected sympathizers, despite agreeing to the condition when both sides signed the Declaration of Principles on July 19, 2025.
He added that M23 had formally notified Qatar, the African Union, the United Nations, and other peace partners that the DRC government is violating ceasefire agreement.
Congo-led dialogue proposals
Former South African President Thabo Mbeki recently invited both the Tshisekedi government and opposition leaders to peace talks among Congolese stakeholders, organized alongside his foundation's annual peace and security forum.
Those invited include Tshisekedi's advisor Désiré-Cashmir Eberande Kolongele, government representatives, Nangaa himself, Thomas Lubanga of the CRP armed group, former President Joseph Kabila, as well as opposition figures Martin Fayulu and Moïse Katumbi.
However, Tshisekedi has rejected the need for external mediation. Addressing members of his Union Sacrée coalition on August 29, 2025.
'I will not be distracted by dialogue agendas here and there. Talks must be continuous and held inside the DRC. Congolese people do not need a mediator to discuss among themselves, and they should not take up arms before sitting down for dialogue,' he said.
Nangaa countered that Mbeki's initiative was not new, emphasizing that the foundation has long played a key role in resolving African conflicts and enjoys wide support across the continent.
He stated that if Tshisekedi refuses to send his representatives to the talks, other Congolese actors will still engage. For that reason, he confirmed that a large delegation representing AFC/M23 had already been dispatched to South Africa.
Xinhua
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/corneille-nangaa-warns-of-drc-provocations-against-afc-m23
