Congo, M23 Rebels Agree Roadmap for Peace Talks

The Democratic Republic of Congo and the Rwanda-backed AFC/M23 rebel alliance have agreed on a roadmap for peace negotiations, according to a joint statement released this weekend after five days of closed-door talks in Switzerland.

The United States was one of the mediators. Deutsche Welle reports the US State Department released the joint statement.

The roadmap sets "sequenced steps and timelines" for talks under the framework agreement the two sides signed in Doha, Qatar, in November — a deal the US brokered and that has not stopped the fighting in eastern Congo.

What Was Agreed

"The Parties developed a roadmap setting out sequenced steps and timelines for negotiations under the Doha Framework Agreement, and committed to flexibility and creativity within the existing structure" of that agreement, the statement said.

The two sides also said they had "agreed on the importance of a standardised method for reporting allegations of ceasefire violations," and agreed to set up a mechanism "tasked with reviewing progress and addressing challenges in implementation of obligations and commitments under the Doha Framework Agreement."

They "reaffirmed their commitment to pursue negotiations towards comprehensive peace and conflict resolution through the implementation of the Framework Agreement," the statement added.

The Fighting Continues

The security situation on the ground remains fragile. On Saturday, AFC/M23 spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka claimed on X that Congolese "coalition forces" had launched air raids using kamikaze drones against densely populated areas in the Minembwe region that day.

"These bombings caused civilian casualties and significant damage to civilian infrastructure," he said. Al Jazeera reported it could not immediately verify the claim.

The conflict has killed thousands and displaced an estimated 5.3 million people. An Ebola outbreak has compounded the crisis, with some 2,500 people dead from the virus since May.