The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 rebel group have agreed to a roadmap for peace talks, aiming to resolve the long-standing conflict in the eastern part of the country. The agreement was announced following five days of discussions in Switzerland.
In a joint statement, both parties pledged to "pursue negotiations towards comprehensive peace and conflict resolution." They also committed to establishing a mechanism to monitor ceasefire violations. This roadmap is part of a US-brokered peace framework, the Doha Framework Agreement, which was signed in 2025 but has yet to halt the fighting.
Despite the agreement, significant disagreements persist on key issues, including sanctions against M23, the release of detainees, and the timing of political reforms. The parties have agreed to establish a mechanism tasked with reviewing progress and addressing challenges in implementing their commitments under the 2025 agreement.
The negotiations in Switzerland were attended by representatives from M23, the DR Congo government, Qatar, the United States, Togo, the African Union Commission, and host country Switzerland. The agreed-upon roadmap outlines sequenced steps and timelines, with parties committing to flexibility and creativity in the process.
The newly established ceasefire monitoring mechanism's secretariat is in place, with the first verification mission scheduled for Monday in Minembwe, an area in South Kivu that has experienced intense fighting. Fighting has continued in the North and South Kivu provinces, with both the government and the M23 group accusing each other of violating previous ceasefire commitments.