(Civil society)
Kinshasa, July 28th, 2026 (CPA).- The march imposed on Tuesday in Bukavu, in Sud-Kivu, in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), by AFC-M23 rebels, has experienced a complete failure, a local civil society representative has stated in a press release.“The small number of people visible at the march was composed of children and street vendors selling juice and bottled water. Others have been forced to take part under threat of sanctions within their organisations, markets and shops, whilst some are men and women hoping to secure positions within this rebel movement. Still others have been paid to take part, and some are even said to have come from neighbouring Rwanda to boost the numbers,” has declared this civil society representative from Bukavu, who has requested anonymity. The civil society thanks more than 99.9% of the Bukavu’s population who has refrained from taking part in this march – proof which, in his view, shows the world that no one wants the AFC-M23 or Rwanda on Congolese soil any longer. The author of the declaration has explained that the streets of Bukavu were deserted from early morning onwards. According to him, the population has said ‘no’ to the Rwandan rebels and their AFC-M23 allies, whom he describes as thirsty for blood and of plundering the Congolese wealth. “When the people want to march, they say there is Ebola and an unstable security situation. When they want to lull the international community into a false sense of security, they forget all about it. They also use old footage to deceive people,” he has lamented. This actor has, in this opportunity, called on the people of Bukavu to remain calm, as sooner or later Rwanda and its rebels will leave Congolese soil, except for those who will lose their lives there.
Appeal to the Head of State and the international community
“We call on President Felix Tshisekedi to do everything in his power to exclude criminals from the forthcoming dialogue and, if necessary, to amend the Constitution if this can help restore peace,” he has proposed. The civil society is also calling on the international community to tighten sanctions against this movement and its leaders, and not to succumb to any of their demands so as not to encourage wrongdoing. For several months now, civil society organisations denounce the pressure being exerted on people living in areas under rebel control, particularly during political activities or public demonstrations.