DRC, AFC/M23 agree roadmap to advance Doha peace process

The DRC government and AFC/M23 shared recommendations for constructive negotiations and thanked Qatar and other partners for supporting peace and stability in eastern DRC and the wider Great Lakes region. The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Alliance Fleuve Congo/ March 23 Movement (AFC/M23) agreed to establish a mechanism to review progress and address implementation challenges, while setting out a roadmap with steps and timelines for negotiations under the Doha Framework. The development was announced in a joint statement on Saturday by representatives of Qatar, the United States, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, AFC/M23, Togo, the African Union Commission and Switzerland. Joint Statement Between the Representatives of the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Representatives of the Alliance Fleuve Congo/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23) on the Doha ProcessDoha | August 22, 2026The following statement was released by the… pic.twitter.com/R2eQELv3qe— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) August 22, 2026 The statement followed meetings held in Switzerland from 17 to 21 August, bringing together representatives of the DRC and AFC/M23, along with Qatar, the United States, Togo as the African Union mediator, Switzerland and the African Union Commission, to assess progress and challenges in implementing the Doha peace process. “They also discussed the path forward for the implementation of existing obligations and commitments and the negotiation of remaining protocols under the Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Government of the DRC and AFC/M23, signed in Doha on November 15, 2025,” the statement from Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. They welcomed progress on the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus (EJVM+), including setting up its secretariat and a reconnaissance mission on 20 August ahead of the first ceasefire verification mission in Minembwe on 24 August. According to the statement, the Parties agreed on the importance of a standardized method for reporting allegations of ceasefire violations.“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.Following this evaluation, the Parties developed a roadmap setting out sequenced steps and timelines for negotiations under the Doha Framework Agreement and committed to flexibility and creativity within the existing structure provided by the Framework Agreement.“The Parties agreed that the order of negotiation of the protocols does not dictate the order of implementation of the protocols. They reaffirmed their commitment to pursue negotiations towards comprehensive peace and conflict resolution through the implementation of the Framework Agreement,” the statement further stated.The DRC government and AFC/M23 shared recommendations for constructive negotiations and thanked Qatar and other partners for supporting peace and stability in eastern DRC and the wider Great Lakes region. Qatar has played a leading mediation role between DR Congo and M23, hosting talks between both sides in an effort to end the deadly conflict.On 19 July 2025, DR Congo and M23 signed a declaration of principles in Doha, aiming to end fighting in eastern Congo. The Qatar-brokered agreement committed both sides to a permanent ceasefire and followed a separate peace deal between the DRC and Rwanda, signed in Washington in June 2025.The M23 had renewed its deadly offensive in eastern DR Congo in 2022, displacing millions while causing a dire humanitarian crisis. The UN recorded 7.8 million internally displaced people since December 2024. However, the number dropped to 5.8 million in 2026 with the return of internally displaced people.