The leader of the AFC/M23 fighting the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Corneille Nangaa, has warned that the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo could expand across the wider region.
Following a drone strike carried out by the Congolese army in the city of Goma on March 11, 2026, Nangaa said the attack had been planned for days. He claimed that authorities in Kinshasa had been spreading messages urging residents to leave Goma ahead of a possible military offensive.
“This campaign signaled an imminent attack by the coalition of government forces,” Nangaa said, referring to troops from the FARDC, the FDLR, local militia groups known as Wazalendo, FDNB, and foreign mercenaries.
According to Nangaa, calls circulated on social media urging civilians to evacuate Goma were intended to make the international community believe that the population was in immediate danger.
He also accused the Congolese government of planning to assassinate leaders of AFC/M23 and opposition politicians in order to weaken their movement. Nangaa further alleged that authorities were attempting to escalate the conflict into a broader regional war.
The AFC/M23 coalition said that if the Congolese government continues to escalate hostilities, its fighters will remain committed to protecting civilians. Nangaa warned that President Félix Tshisekedi would bear responsibility for the consequences of any further escalation of the conflict.
