{
  "id": 2620218,
  "title": "Congo-Kinshasa: Joint Statement Between DR Congo and the Alliance Fleuve Congo/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23) on the Doha Process",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/congo-kinshasa-joint-statement-between-dr-congo-and-the-alliance",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-22T18:09:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "AllAfrica",
    "slug": "allafrica",
    "url": "https://allafrica.com/stories/202608220111.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On August 17 to 21, 2026, representatives from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government and the Alliance Fleuve Congo/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23) met in Switzerland to discuss the implementation of the Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement. They reviewed progress made, addressed challenges, and outlined steps for future negotiations. The Doha Framework Agreement was signed in Doha on November 15, 2025.\n\nThe representatives welcomed the establishment of the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus (EJVM+), including the formation of its Secretariat. They also acknowledged the successful conduct of a reconnaissance mission on August 20, 2026, in preparation for the first EJVM+ ceasefire verification mission scheduled for August 24, 2026, in Minembwe.\n\nBoth parties agreed on the necessity of a standardized method for reporting ceasefire violations and agreed to establish a mechanism to evaluate progress and tackle implementation challenges. They committed to a flexible and creative approach to negotiations, emphasizing that the order of protocol negotiation does not dictate the order of implementation.\n\nThe parties reaffirmed their shared commitment to pursuing comprehensive peace and conflict resolution through the implementation of the Doha Framework Agreement. They shared recommendations with the facilitation to support constructive negotiations and the timely fulfillment of their commitments. The representatives expressed gratitude to Qatar, the United States, Togo (as the African Union mediator), Switzerland, and the African Union Commission for their ongoing support in promoting peace and stability in eastern DRC and the wider Great Lakes region.",
  "summary": "[State Department] The following statement was released by the representatives of the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the representatives of the Alliance Fleuve Congo/March 23 Movement, as well as the State of Qatar, the United States of America, the Republic of Togo (as the African Union mediator), Switzerland, and the African Union Commission, on the meetings held August…",
  "key_points": [
    "Representatives from DRC and AFC/M23 met in Switzerland on August 17-21, 2026.",
    "They welcomed establishment of EJVM+ and reconnaissance mission on August 20, 2026.",
    "Both parties committed to flexible negotiations and peace resolution implementation."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}