DR Congo, M23 Agree Peace Roadmap After Swiss Talks
AFRICAGLOBAL SECURITYGEOPOLITICS
Photo: bbc.co.uk
Geneva/Kinshasa — The Democratic Republic of Congo's government and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group have agreed on a roadmap toward peace talks following five days of negotiations in Switzerland. The deal establishes a mechanism to monitor ceasefire violations and sets timelines for further negotiations under the US-brokered peace framework adopted in 2025.
Disagreements remain unresolved over sanctions, detainees, and political reforms, and the talks drew a wide roster of parties: M23, the DRC government, Qatar, the United States, Togo, the African Union Commission, and host Switzerland. Fighting has nevertheless continued in eastern DRC despite earlier ceasefire commitments, in a conflict that has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands.
Separately, the first international verification inspectors under the related Doha ceasefire framework of November 2025 reached Minembwe this week, nine months after that agreement was signed — the initial independent check of conditions on the ground since it took effect.