DR Congo and M23 Rebels Agree Roadmap for Peace Talks
The Democratic Republic of Congo government and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group have reached an agreement on a roadmap for peace talks, following five days of negotiations in Switzerland.
Joint Statement:
They pledged to pursue negotiations towards comprehensive peace and conflict resolution, and established a mechanism to monitor the ceasefire. The roadmap outlines a timeline for discussions under the US-brokered 2025 Doha Framework Agreement, which was previously signed but did not prevent ongoing fighting in eastern DR Congo.
Key Points:
- Disagreements remain on sanctions against M23, detainee releases, and political reforms.
- A mechanism to review progress and address challenges has been set up.
- The first ceasefire violation monitoring mission will take place in Minembwe, South Kivu, on Monday.
- Fighting continues in North and South Kivu, despite repeated ceasefires, with both sides accusing each other of violations.
Background:
The conflict is linked to tensions between DR Congo and Rwanda, with Kigali accused of supporting M23 while DR Congo denies aiding the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), considered a security threat by Kigali.
In January 2025, M23 seized areas in eastern DR Congo, including Goma, and raised concerns over resource extraction in the region. Thousands have been killed, and many civilians displaced during decades of conflict.
