The M23 rebel group has dismissed claims made by United Nations experts regarding alleged internal tensions within its ranks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In their recently released report, the UN experts claimed that M23 and its broader coalition, the AFC, have been experiencing internal discord caused by controversial leadership appointments and the return of former DRC President Joseph Kabila Kabange to the city of Goma after years in exile.
The report stated:
“Internal tensions have emerged within AFC/M23, which have been exacerbated by recent leadership appointments and the controversial return of former President Joseph Kabila to eastern DRC. These developments have reignited divisions between historical Rwandan and Ugandan factions.”
The UN report went on to allege that:
“In a bid to restore unity and reinforce support for the AFC/M23 coalition, the Government of Rwanda is reportedly planning to give a prominent position within AFC/M23 to Laurent Nkunda, who is under UN sanctions.”
In response, AFC/M23 Secretary General Bénjamin Mbonimpa told the press that the UN experts fabricated their claims.
He stated:
“Those reports are fictional. When those experts have nothing to report to their superiors about the AFC/M23, they resort to fabricating lies without any understanding of what our leadership thinks or how we operate.”
Mbonimpa added:
“There is no internal conflict in the movement (AFC/M23). Everything is going well, and everyone is diligently performing their responsibilities with dedication.”
