Congo president accuses

President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo has accused former President Joseph Kabila of supporting a U.S.-sanctioned coalition of rebel groups known as the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) and preparing an insurrection against his government. Tshisekedi's claims, made during a radio interview, lack supporting evidence and follow recent U.S. sanctions against the AFC for its role in escalating conflict in eastern Congo, where the M23 rebellion has displaced over 1.8 million people since 2021. Additionally, Tshisekedi, along with U.S. and U.N. experts, has alleged that Rwanda is providing military support to the M23, a claim Rwanda denies despite acknowledging some military presence in the region. A cease-fire between Congo and Rwanda was recently agreed upon following mediation talks. The ongoing violence in eastern Congo, driven by over 120 armed groups, has resulted in significant human rights abuses, including widespread sexual violence against women in displacement camps. Reports indicate that more than one in ten women in these camps have faced rape between November 2023 and April 2024, highlighting the dire humanitarian crisis in the region.