DR Congo, M23 agree peace roadmap

After five days of negotiations in Switzerland (August 17-21), the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Rwanda-backed March 23 Movement (M23) agreed on a roadmap for peace talks under the Doha Framework Agreement signed in November 2025. The joint statement, released on August 23, outlines sequenced steps and timelines for negotiations, establishes a mechanism to review progress and address implementation challenges, and standardizes reporting of ceasefire violations. A first ceasefire verification mission is scheduled for August 24 in Minembwe, South Kivu. The talks were mediated by the United States, Qatar, Togo, Switzerland, and the African Union. Despite the agreement, fighting continues in eastern DRC, and disagreements remain over sanctions, detainee releases, and political reforms. The conflict, which reignited in 2021, has killed thousands and displaced an estimated 5.3 million people. The DRC, UN, and Western governments accuse Rwanda of backing M23, while Rwanda denies this and accuses the DRC of supporting the FDLR. Earlier this month, the DRC released 15 prisoners to M23 and the Congo River Alliance as a confidence-building measure.