Rwanda-DRC Peace Talks Postponed to Next Week

Qatar has decided to postpone the peace talks between representatives of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government and the AFC/M23 coalition to next week, citing a busy national schedule.

The discussions were initially expected to take place this week, with a focus on two key issues: the exchange of prisoners between the Congolese government and AFC/M23, and a ceasefire in the eastern part of the country.

A source close to the mediation process told reporters:

“Talks between the DRC government delegation and M23 will now be held in Qatar next week. The goal is to finalize mechanisms for a ceasefire and to advance toward a comprehensive peace agreement, building on progress made earlier this year and the principles signed in July.”

As in previous rounds, the upcoming talks will include key international partners as observers, expected to reinforce support for the peace process until tangible results are achieved.

Those international partners include the United States, Angola, and the African Union Commission.

Both sides had signed a set of guiding principles on July 19, 2025, meant to pave the way for a peace deal. At the time, many hoped the agreement would bring an end to the fighting in eastern DRC, but clashes have persisted, with each side blaming the other.

Currently, battles continue between M23 fighters and Wazalendo militias, a coalition of local armed groups backed by the Congolese government, in North and South Kivu provinces. Wazalendo’s main objective has been to recapture territories seized by M23.

At times, DRC government forces (FARDC) have directly joined the fighting to support Wazalendo when it is overpowered by M23. On October 9, the army launched an offensive on the Minjenje bridge, which links Masisi and Walikale territories, in an apparent attempt to cut off strategic supply routes.