- DR Congo and an M23-led rebel alliance have agreed on a roadmap for peace talks, according to a joint statement, as fighting continues in the country’s east.
- The roadmap followed five days of talks in Switzerland, from August 17 to August 21, that included representatives from the United States, Qatar, Togo, Switzerland, and the African Union Commission.
- A ceasefire verification mission is due to arrive on Monday in Minembwe, an eastern region in South Kivu province.
- The parties have developed a roadmap setting out sequenced steps and timelines for negotiations under a signed agreement in Doha in November.
- The roadmap sets out a timeline for talks under a US-brokered peace framework which they signed in 2025, only for fighting to then continue in eastern DR Congo, which has been engulfed in conflict for decades.
- The two sides said they had agreed on a standardised method for reporting ceasefire violations and would set up a mechanism to address problems implementing the Doha agreement.
- Despite the agreements, disagreements remain over issues including sanctions against M23, the release of detainees, and the timing of political reforms.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebel group have reached a significant agreement on a roadmap for peace talks, following five days of discussions in Switzerland.125
The joint statement emphasized a commitment to pursue negotiations aimed at comprehensive peace and conflict resolution, while also establishing a mechanism to monitor ceasefire violations.
"The parties agreed to establish a mechanism tasked with reviewing progress and addressing challenges in implementation of obligations and commitments under the Doha Framework Agreement," the statement noted.4
The roadmap outlines sequenced steps and timelines for negotiations, reflecting a US-brokered peace framework signed in 2025, despite ongoing conflicts in eastern DR Congo.
A ceasefire verification mission is scheduled to arrive in Minembwe on Monday, an area heavily impacted by fighting.3
While the agreement marks a positive step, disagreements persist over sanctions against M23, the release of detainees, and the timing of political reforms.
Earlier this month, the DRC transferred 15 prisoners to the Congo River Alliance (AFC) and M23, facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross, as part of the peace process.
The negotiations included representatives from the United States, Qatar, Togo, Switzerland, and the African Union Commission, highlighting the international interest in resolving the conflict.
The roadmap aims to provide a structured approach to peace, but the path ahead remains fraught with challenges.
“The roadmap follows five days of talks in Switzerland, with the US, Qatar, Togo, and the African Union Commission participating. Disagreements persist over sanctions against M23, detainee release, and political reform timing, while fighting continues in North and South Kivu.”
