DR Congo, AFC/M23 group agree on roadmap for peace negotiations after Swiss talks

The Democratic Republic of Congo government and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group have reached an agreement on a roadmap for peace talks, as per a joint statement released following five days of negotiations in Switzerland. Both parties have pledged to engage in negotiations aimed at achieving comprehensive peace and conflict resolution, and have established a mechanism to monitor ceasefire compliance.

The roadmap outlines a timeline for these talks, which were initially set under a US-brokered peace framework in 2025. However, despite the commitment to peace talks, fighting has persisted in eastern DR Congo, a region plagued by decades of conflict. The disagreements between the two sides primarily revolve around sanctions against M23, the release of detainees, and the timing of political reforms.

The peace talks were attended by representatives from the M23, DR Congo's government, Qatar, the United States, the Republic of Togo, the African Union Commission, and Switzerland. The parties agreed to create a mechanism that would review progress and address challenges in implementing the obligations and commitments outlined in the Doha Framework Agreement, signed in 2025.

They also agreed to adopt a flexible and creative approach in resolving the conflict. As part of the agreement, a ceasefire monitoring mechanism has been established, with its secretariat already operational. The first verification mission is scheduled to take place in Minembwe, an area in South Kivu that has seen significant fighting.

Despite repeated ceasefire commitments from both sides, fighting has continued in North and South Kivu, with accusations of violations exchanged between the DR Congo government and M23. The conflict in DR Congo remains closely tied to tensions between the country and its neighbor, Rwanda. Rwanda accuses DR Congo of failing to dismantle the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a group the Rwandan government considers a security threat.

DR Congo denies these allegations and accuses Rwanda of backing M23 with troops and weapons. Tensions escalated in January 2025 when M23 seized parts of eastern DR Congo, including the cities of Goma and two airports, resulting in thousands of deaths and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians. The region is rich in resources such as coltan and other materials crucial to the global electronics industry.

Rwanda has consistently denied supporting M23, claiming its military presence in the region is defensive and aimed at countering threats from other armed groups.