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Mediation

M23 Rebels Reaffirm Commitment to Peace Process, Citing Qatar's Mediation

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group has reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing the peace process under Qatari mediation, despite ongoing differences with the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). At a press conference in Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province, Corneille Nangaa, head of the Congo River Alliance, expressed confidence in Qatar's mediation efforts. The remarks came as the DRC government and the M23 resumed discussions in Doha, following the signing of a Declaration of Principles intended to start negotiations by August 8 and target a peace accord by August 18. Nangaa cited the release of some 700 prisoners by the DRC government, an obligation outlined in the Declaration of Principles, which he said has yet to be respected by Kinshasa.

Key Takeaways:

  • The M23 has reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing the peace process under Qatari mediation, citing confidence in Qatar's efforts.
  • Despite ongoing differences, the M23 and the DRC government resumed discussions in Doha, following the signing of a Declaration of Principles.
  • The DRC government has released some 700 prisoners, a commitment outlined in the Declaration of Principles, but the M23 claims this has not been respected by Kinshasa.
  • The M23 has dispatched a two-member team to Doha to focus solely on mechanisms related to the ceasefire and prisoner release.
  • The FARDC and M23 rebels have traded accusations of repeated violations of the Doha ceasefires, with recent clashes reported in the Fizi highlands of South Kivu Province.
  • The humanitarian crisis in the eastern DRC has reached alarming proportions, with over 28 million people facing food insecurity and over 7 million internally displaced.

Statistics:

  • More than 28 million people in the DR Congo face food insecurity, according to the United Nations.
  • Over 7 million people are internally displaced, many of them repeatedly.
  • The M23 has seized several strategic cities, including Goma and Bukavu, since January 2025.
  • The security situation on the ground continues to deteriorate, with recent clashes reported on multiple fronts.

Sources:

  • Xinhua News Agency
  • COMTEX_468456586/2084/2025-09-01T12:48:31
  • United Nations

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