THE Democratic Republic of Congo government and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group have agreed a roadmap for peace talks.
In a joint statement after five days of talks in Switzerland, they said they had pledged to “pursue negotiations towards comprehensive peace and conflict resolution” and set up a mechanism to monitor the ceasefire.
The roadmap sets out a timeline for talks under a US-brokered peace framework which they signed in 2025 – only for fighting to then continue in eastern DR Congo, which has been engulfed in conflict for decades.
But disagreements remain over issues including sanctions against M23, the release of detainees and the timing of political reforms.
The latest negotiations were attended by M23, the government of DR Congo, Qatar, the US, the Republic of Togo, the African Union Commission and host Switzerland.
“The parties agreed to establish a mechanism tasked with reviewing progress and addressing challenges in implementation of obligations and commitments under the Doha Framework Agreement,” the statement added, referring to the 2025 deal.
They developed “sequenced steps and timelines” while also committing to “flexibility and creativity”, the statement said.
They also agreed to implement a mechanism to monitor ceasefire violations. Its secretariat has been established and the first verification mission is due to take place on Monday in Minembwe, an area of South Kivu affected by fighting.
Fighting has continued in North and South Kivu despite repeated ceasefire commitments, with the government and M23 accusing each other of violations.
DR Congo and M23 rebels sign framework for peace in Qatar
The conflict is closely linked to tensions between DR Congo and neighbouring Rwanda.
Rwanda says DR Congo has failed to dismantle the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed group that Kigali considers a security threat.
DR Congo denies supporting the FDLR and accuses Rwanda of backing M23 with troops and weapons.
In January 2025 the conflict got worse when the M23 seized parts of eastern DR Congo, including Goma and two airports.
Thousands of people have been killed and hundreds of thousands of civilians have been forced from their homes during the decades of fighting.
Eastern DR Congo is rich in coltan and other resources vital to the global electronics industries.
Rwanda has always denied supporting the M23, despite overwhelming evidence. It has always said its military presence in the region is defensive – and only there to counter threats posed by other armed groups.