Diplomacy & Geopolitics
DR Congo and M23 agree peace talks roadmap
The Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 armed group have agreed a roadmap for peace talks after Swiss-hosted negotiations, according to a joint statement published by Switzerland.
The statement said the two sides set sequenced steps and timelines for negotiations under the Doha Framework Agreement and reaffirmed a commitment to pursue a comprehensive peace settlement.
The closed-door talks took place from August 17 to 21 and included representatives from the United States, Qatar, Switzerland, the African Union Commission and Togo, which served as African Union mediator.
The statement said the parties agreed on the need for a standard way to report alleged ceasefire violations. It said a first ceasefire verification mission was due in Minembwe, in South Kivu province, on Monday.
It also said they agreed to create a mechanism to review progress and address problems in implementing commitments under the Doha framework.
Eastern DR Congo has faced decades of conflict involving multiple armed groups. AFP described M23 as Rwanda-backed and said the group seized swathes of the region in 2025. DR Congo and M23 signed a US-brokered peace agreement in Doha late in 2025, but fighting has continued.
Update
The closed-door talks were held from August 17 to August 21.
Representatives from the United States, Qatar, Switzerland, the African Union Commission and Togo took part, with Togo serving as African Union mediator.
The parties agreed on the importance of a standard method for reporting alleged ceasefire violations.
A first ceasefire verification mission is due in Minembwe, South Kivu province, on Monday.
The parties agreed to establish a mechanism to review progress and address challenges in implementing commitments under the Doha Framework Agreement.
Source note: AFP news report published on 23 August 2026 at 10:52:05 UTC.
Update
Switzerland published the joint statement after hosting negotiations.
The roadmap sets out sequenced steps and timelines for negotiations under the Doha Framework Agreement.
The statement said DR Congo and M23 signed a US-brokered peace agreement in Doha, Qatar, in 2025.
Source note: AFP news report published on 23 August 2026 at 10:19:17 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The detailed timetable and specific obligations in the roadmap are not fully specified.
The outcome of the planned ceasefire verification mission is not yet known.
Source
AFP news report published on .