How AFC/M23 Commandos Destroy FARDC Drones in Kisangani and Return Undetected

The Deputy Spokesperson of AFC/M23, Dr. Oscar Balinda, has announced that some of the coalition’s commando soldiers are operating near Kisangani, carrying out attacks aimed at disrupting plans being prepared by FARDC before returning to their bases without being detected.

This statement comes after the coalition confirmed that its soldiers near the city of Kisangani recently destroyed FARDC drones that were being prepared to launch attacks on AFC/M23 positions and on civilian areas controlled by the coalition.

Dr. Oscar Balinda explained that after realizing Kisangani had become a center where their opponents were organizing attacks, the coalition’s forces decided to take action to disrupt those plans.

He said: “AFC-M23 has commando units that go near Kisangani to carry out attacks aimed at preventing attempts to destabilize the areas it controls.”

He added that these specialized soldiers were also responsible for the recent military operation that destroyed the FARDC equipment intended to be used in attacks.

“They move day and night, carry out their missions, and then return to their bases,” he said.

Dr. Balinda also stated that their objective is to stop what they describe as harmful actions by the opposing side so that a ceasefire can be respected and negotiations between the coalition and the Congolese government can resume.

“That threat is what we want to stop so that the ceasefire can be respected, we return to the negotiating table, and achieve lasting peace,” he said.

The AFC/M23 coalition recently lost its military spokesperson, who was killed near Rubaya in a drone attack carried out by FARDC. The group has since accused the opposing side of continuing to kill civilians and its soldiers but said it cannot remain silent in the face of such actions.