Goma, 24 October 2025 — Corneille Nangaa, Head of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) movement, has rejected allegations that his forces looted hundreds of kilograms of gold from a mining site in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In a statement circulated via the group’s social media channels, Nangaa instead accused the national army of escalating hostilities with drone strikes and targeted attacks on civilian infrastructure.
The Twangiza mining concession in South Kivu, which has long been a focal point of tension between local communities, artisanal miners, and armed groups, was at the center of Nangaa’s remarks. He said the site was “inactive” and only accessible to small-scale miners, insisting that his group lacked the heavy machinery necessary for industrial-scale gold extraction. Nangaa described the theft allegations as “a deliberate smear campaign aimed at distracting attention from the army’s continued bombardments of civilian areas.”
Highlighting recent military actions, Nangaa accused the Forces Armées de la République Démocratique du Congo (FARDC) of conducting a drone strike on 15 October, which he claimed destroyed power infrastructure at Twangiza and endangered nearby communities. The statement framed these operations as evidence that Kinshasa has chosen a military rather than diplomatic approach to the eastern conflict, despite ongoing ceasefire agreements and international mediation efforts.
Nangaa emphasized that AFC/M23 considers itself a defensive force acting to protect both territory and civilians. “We will not remain passive while government forces attack our communities and infrastructure,” he said. He warned that any aggressive action by the FARDC would automatically trigger a response, signaling that the potential for escalation remains high across North and South Kivu provinces.
Linking the military conflict to the region’s mineral wealth, Nangaa claimed that government forces and private partners were using armed operations to secure access to valuable resources, including gold. He positioned AFC/M23 as a guardian of local interests, insisting that their control over certain territories ensures the “fair management of natural resources” and protection of communities caught between state forces and armed groups.
Nangaa concluded by issuing a stark warning: continued FARDC operations, whether by air or ground, would be interpreted by AFC/M23 as the end of any goodwill or ceasefire mechanisms. “If Kinshasa chooses to escalate the conflict, responsibility for its consequences rests entirely with those who ordered it,” he said. His statement underscores the fragility of the current ceasefire and highlights the risk of further clashes as international mediators push for dialogue.
