M23 Rebels, DR Congo Agree to Implement Ceasefire to Strengthen Doha Peace Process

The AFC/M23 rebel group and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government on Monday agreed to operationalize a ceasefire to reinforce the Doha peace process and ease tensions in eastern DR Congo.

According to a communique from Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the signing of the Ceasefire Monitoring and Verification Mechanism formalizes the framework for monitoring the truce, ensuring regular meetings and reaffirming both parties’ commitment to the ceasefire and the Doha Framework Agreement for Peace, signed on November 15, 2025.

Following the agreement, the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Congo will deploy its first team in the coming days to monitor compliance with the ceasefire.

Since January 21, the M23 rebels have raised concerns over the Kinshasa government’s decision to cut off telecommunication networks, which has complicated communications and hampered the monitoring of activities in Uvira and surrounding areas.

The rebels had unilaterally withdrawn from Uvira in December 2025, placing the city under the responsibility of the international community and calling for the deployment of neutral forces, citing security threats. Subsequent reports indicate that violence in the city was linked to forces allied with the Kinshasa government.

The ceasefire discussions were observed by representatives from the United States, the African Union, and Togo, which is serving as the AU-designated facilitator for the talks.