Archive · 23 Aug 2026
DR Congo and M23 Set Roadmap for Peace Negotiations
The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the M23 rebel group are trying to make peace.
They met in Switzerland from August 17 to 21.
During the meetings, they agreed on a plan for future talks.
The plan explains what should happen first and when later steps should occur.
They also agreed to check whether both sides are keeping their promises.
A team will investigate the ceasefire for the first time on August 24 in Minembwe.
The sides said they want aid to reach people affected by fighting.
They also previously agreed to release prisoners and protect important supplies for civilians.
The talks come after M23 fighting intensified in eastern Congo during 2025.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo government and M23 agreed on a roadmap for future peace negotiations.
The roadmap sets the sequence and timetable for talks under the Doha Framework Agreement.
The parties agreed to review progress and address difficulties implementing their commitments.
The first ceasefire verification mission is scheduled for August 24 in Minembwe, South Kivu.
The agreement follows earlier commitments on humanitarian access, prisoner releases and ceasefire monitoring.
- Who
- The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the March 23 Movement, known as M23.
- What
- They agreed on a roadmap, timetable and review mechanism for peace negotiations under the Doha Framework Agreement.
- When
- The latest meetings took place from August 17 to 21; the first ceasefire verification mission is scheduled for August 24.
- Where
- The meetings were held in Switzerland, and the first verification mission is scheduled for Minembwe in South Kivu Province.
- Why
- The sides said the process aims to implement existing commitments and pursue comprehensive peace and conflict resolution.
- Negotiating parties
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo government and the March 23 Movement.
- Negotiation framework
- The Doha Framework Agreement.
- Latest meeting dates
- August 17-21 in Switzerland.
- Verification mission
- The first ceasefire verification mission is scheduled for August 24 in Minembwe.
- Location of mission
- Minembwe, in South Kivu Province in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- Earlier commitments
- The parties agreed to facilitate humanitarian access, protect essential civilian property and release prisoners within 10 days under existing arrangements.
- Conflict development
- M23 intensified offensives in North Kivu and South Kivu starting in January 2025 and seized several key cities.