Congo and M23 Rebels Agree on Peace Roadmap

Congo and M23 Rebels Agree on Peace Roadmap DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the M23-led rebel alliance agreed this week on a roadmap for peace negotiations after five days of talks in Switzerland, even as fighting continues in the country’s volatile east. In a joint statement over the weekend, the two sides said the roadmap establishes “sequenced steps and timelines for negotiations” under the Qatar-mediated framework agreement signed last year. The Swiss talks included representatives from the United States, Qatar, Togo, Switzerland and the African Union Commission. The parties also agreed on a standardized method for reporting ceasefire violations and a mechanism to address problems implementing the agreement. On Monday, a mission began observing implementation of the ceasefire in Minembwe, South Kivu province, marking the first field deployment under the monitoring mechanism established by the Qatar-mediated agreement. The area has experienced renewed fighting in recent weeks, with government forces and the rebels accusing each other of ceasefire violations. M23 rebels on Monday accused Congolese forces of shelling a village near Minembwe, causing civilian casualties and displacement. The Congolese military did not immediately respond. The conflict reignited in 2021 when M23 resumed its offensive in eastern DRC. The group has since captured large areas, including the provincial capitals Goma and Bukavu in early 2025. The fighting has killed thousands and displaced an estimated 5.3 million people. The DRC, the UN and Western governments accuse Rwanda of supporting the M23 with troops and weapons, which Kigali denies. The Doha process is proceeding alongside separate US-mediated talks between the DRC and Rwanda. Earlier this month, Congolese authorities also released 15 prisoners to the M23-led alliance in the first known prisoner transfer under the agreement.