The AFC coalition, which includes the M23 rebel group, recently held a press conference in Goma, where it declared that it was ready to march toward Kinshasa if the Congolese government did not stop its air and drone attacks targeting civilians.

In an interview with Germany’s Deutsche Welle (DW) radio, Gen. Ekenge said the army would not continue to stand by idly. Responding to M23’s accusations that it would not tolerate continued attacks by the Congolese army (FARDC), Ekenge insisted that the government forces were respecting the peace agreement.

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He said:“We are respecting it as it should be. Most of the time, it’s AFC/M23 that violates the ceasefire  I’ve said this many times.”

When asked about AFC/M23’s accusations that Congolese forces were using aircraft and drones to bomb civilians, Ekenge did not deny it. Instead, he replied: “We are not in a church. It’s only in church that they tell you if someone slaps you on the left cheek, offer them the right one. We cannot keep watching while attacks and provocations continue without responding.”

Gen. Ekenge added: “They say we bomb them, but they are the ones who provoke us  we simply respond. We won’t let them do whatever they want.”

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The army spokesperson also claimed that the FDLR had agreed to lay down its weapons following a request from the Congolese military and that its members were prepared to join MONUSCO (the UN mission in Congo). However, he said that the Rutshuru area, where the FDLR is based, is currently under AFC/M23 control, and that M23 has blocked them from disarming.

Despite Ekenge’s statements, recent reports indicate that FARDC and allied militias, including the FDLR, have been mobilizing with the stated goal of retaking Goma  and even pushing their advance toward Rwanda.