DR Congo, M23 agree on roadmap for peace talks

What the report says

The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the M23 rebel movement have agreed on a roadmap for peace negotiations, according to a joint statement reported by Xinhua and published by The Independent Uganda. The arrangement lays out a sequence of steps and timelines for further talks, following meetings held from Aug. 17 to 21 in Switzerland.

The two sides said they reviewed progress and remaining obstacles in the Doha peace process and discussed how to implement earlier commitments under the Doha Framework Agreement. They also agreed to create a mechanism to track progress and deal with problems that arise while carrying out those obligations. The statement also said they welcomed advances in putting a ceasefire verification system into operation.

A first ceasefire verification mission is scheduled for Aug. 24 in Minembwe, in South Kivu province in eastern DRC, according to the report. Both sides also supported using a common method to report alleged ceasefire violations and said they remain committed to negotiations aimed at a broader peace settlement.

The agreement comes after months of conflict in eastern Congo, where M23 has stepped up offensives since January 2025 and taken several important towns and cities. The article notes that the DRC government and M23 signed a declaration of principles in Doha in July 2025 and later a framework agreement in November, both under Qatari mediation.