DR Congo and M23 rebels agree roadmap for peace talks

The Democratic Republic of Congo government and the M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda, have reached an agreement on a roadmap for peace talks. This was announced after five days of negotiations in Switzerland. Both parties pledged to "pursue negotiations towards comprehensive peace and conflict resolution" and set up a mechanism to monitor the ceasefire.

The roadmap outlines a timeline for talks under a US-brokered peace framework, signed in 2025, though fighting has continued since then in eastern Congo. Disagreements remain over issues like sanctions against M23, the release of detainees, and the timing of political reforms. The talks involved M23, the DR Congo government, Qatar, the US, Togo, the African Union Commission, and Switzerland.

They agreed to establish a mechanism to review progress and address challenges, including a flexibility and creativity approach. A ceasefire monitoring secretariat was established, and the first verification mission is scheduled for Monday in Minembwe, an area affected by fighting. Despite repeated ceasefire commitments, fighting persists in North and South Kivu, with both sides accusing each other of violations.

The conflict is linked to tensions between DR Congo and Rwanda, with accusations about the FDLR, an armed group considered a security threat by Kigali. DR Congo denies supporting FDLR and accuses Rwanda of backing M23 with troops and weapons. The conflict intensified in January 2025 when M23 seized parts of eastern DR Congo, including Goma and two airports, leading to thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians.

Eastern DR Congo's resources, vital to global electronics industries, have fueled the decades-long conflict. Rwanda denies supporting M23, claiming its military presence is defensive.