DRC and M23 Rebels Explore Peace Monitoring Agreement with Swiss Authorities

Negotiations between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and M23 rebels resumed in Switzerland on Monday, with mediation by the United States and Qatar. The talks are part of an ongoing effort to curb deadly fighting that has persisted despite a December peace accord.

According to reports, the Congolese government and the AFC/M23 rebel coalition signed an interim peace monitoring mechanism during the negotiations. The agreement establishes a body to track humanitarian and security developments and monitor potential ceasefire violations. Representatives from both sides will be included in the mechanism, with support from the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).

Reports from Goma indicate that the situation on the ground remains fragile, with clashes between different groups causing thousands of civilians to become caught in the middle. The AFC/M23 rebel coalition has seized significant territory in eastern DRC since 2025, including key cities such as Goma and Bukavu.

In December, Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame signed a peace and economic agreement in Washington, DC, aimed at ending fighting in the DRC. Separate peace talks mediated by Qatar have also taken place between the DRC and M23 rebels.

Despite these efforts, clashes have continued, with recent fighting reaching the highland areas of South Kivu. Human Rights Watch has accused both warring parties of blocking aid deliveries and preventing civilians from fleeing the region. The organization’s senior Great Lakes researcher stated that civilians in South Kivu’s highlands are facing a dire humanitarian crisis and live in fear of abuses by all parties.

Source: Al Jazeera