DR Congo and M23 Rebels Agree Roadmap for Peace Talks

Sun Sep 06 2026 04:20:48 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The Democratic Republic of Congo government and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group have outlined a step‑by‑step plan to move towards a comprehensive ceasefire and lasting peace.

In a series of talks held in Switzerland, DR Congo officials and M23 rebels announced a joint roadmap for peace under a US‑brokered framework. The agreement sets clear timelines and introduces a monitoring mechanism for ceasefire violations, with a verification mission slated for Minembwe. Despite progress, key issues remain—sanctions against M23, detainee releases, and the timing of political reforms. The region continues to face periodic clashes, with fighting mainly in North and South Kivu. The agreement, signed in 2025, is a pivotal step toward stabilising the eastern Congo, rich in minerals vital to global electronics production.

DR Congo and M23 Rebels Agree Roadmap for Peace Talks

M23 rebels and civilians in Goma — M23 rebels seen in Goma in March after an air strike on the territory – AFP via Getty Images

The Democratic Republic of Congo government and the Rwanda‑backed M23 rebel group have agreed on a detailed roadmap aimed at forging a comprehensive ceasefire and lasting peace. The pact was signed after five days of negotiations hosted in Switzerland.

The parties pledge to pursue talks that culminate in a full resolution of the conflict, establishing a watchful mechanism to ensure compliance with the ceasefire. The plan follows the 2025 “Doha Framework” signed by both sides, which had previously stalled as fighting in eastern Congo persisted.

Key sticking points remain around sanctions against M23, the release of detained individuals, and the schedule of political reforms. The government and rebels also agreed on “sequenced steps and timelines,” while maintaining flexibility to adapt as the situation evolves.

A secretariat has been set up, with the first verification mission scheduled to take place on Monday in Minembwe—a volatile area of South Kivu. The mechanism will monitor potential ceasefire violations and report findings to an oversight body consisting of representatives from the United States, Qatar, the Republic of Togo, the African Union Commission, and host Switzerland.

Despite repeated ceasefire commitments, both sides continuously accuse each other of violations. The conflict, entwined with deeper tensions between DR Congo and neighboring Rwanda, has seen M23 seize the provincial capital of Goma and nearby airports in January 2025.

The war, which centers on control of coltan and other minerals vital to global electronics manufacturing, has caused thousands of deaths and displacements over the years. Rwanda publicly claims DR Congo has not eliminated the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a group considered a security threat by Kigali; meanwhile, DR Congo denies support for the FDLR and accuses Rwanda of backing M23 with troops and weapons.

While the newly signed roadmap offers a framework for conflict resolution, the future of peace in eastern Congo remains uncertain amid ongoing unrest and geopolitical disputes.