The claims were made by the AFC/M23 political spokesperson on Saturday morning, 13 December 2025, who said that since the previous day the opposing forces had been pursuing what he described as malicious plans.

Lawrence Kanyuka said that on Friday, 12 December 2025, and from the early hours of Saturday, 13 December 2025, coalition forces loyal to the Kinshasa government, in coordination with Burundian troops, intensified operations targeting Banyamulenge Tutsi civilians.

He added that the attacks included the use of Sukhoi-25 fighter jets, attack helicopters, and military drones launched from Burundi, which he said carried out direct aerial strikes on Banyamulenge-populated areas of Mikenke and Rwesankuku, in violation of the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.

Kanyuka said the strikes deliberately targeted unarmed civilians, killing women and children, and formed part of a coordinated policy of terror, destruction, and the annihilation of a specific population based on ethnicity. He said such actions constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Fighting in South Kivu has escalated since last week, after the AFC/M23 coalition decided to confront forces dominated by Burundian troops, a move that culminated in the capture of the town of Uvira, now under the group’s control.

The AFC/M23 coalition also said that although many Burundian soldiers withdrew to their country following the fall of Uvira, others remain entrenched in the mountainous areas of South Kivu, and called on them to return home without delay.