A draft agreement aimed at ending fighting between the Democratic Republic of Congo’s army and the Rwanda-backed M23 militia has been shared with both the Congolese government in Kinshasa and the armed group, according to a Qatari official close to the negotiations.
The official, who is part of the mediation efforts, confirmed the “preparation and sharing of a draft peace agreement with both parties as part of the ongoing Doha process,” adding that Doha will soon host “an important round of negotiations.”
What progress has been made in the Doha process?
In July, the Congolese government and the M23 signed a declaration of principles in Qatar, setting a target to finalize a peace deal by August 18. While that timeline was not met, the Qatari official stated that “both parties have responded positively to the facilitator and expressed a willingness to continue negotiations.”
The same official emphasized the importance of dialogue, noting, “We recognise the challenges on the ground and hope they can be overcome promptly through dialogue and genuine commitment.”
Why is the M23 conflict escalating?
Since resuming its insurgency in late 2021, the M23 militia has captured significant territory in eastern DRC with support from Rwanda, sparking a worsening humanitarian crisis. Earlier this year, violence escalated further as the group seized the major cities of Goma and Bukavu, where they established parallel administrations.
The ongoing conflict has displaced thousands of civilians and heightened regional tensions, making the Doha talks critical to restoring stability. With both sides now signaling openness to negotiation, the coming round of discussions will determine whether the fragile opportunity for peace can take root.
By Lucky Anyanje