DRC rebels threaten to abandon Doha peace talks over proposed constitutional referendum

What the report says

Rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo have warned they could walk away from peace talks in Doha if the government moves ahead with a proposed constitutional referendum, according to Anadolu Agency Africa. The development comes as the armed group met in Goma with United Nations officials led by MONUSCO chief James Swan, underscoring the continuing international attention on the conflict.

The report says the dispute centers on political and constitutional questions that the rebels view as linked to the broader peace process. Their threat adds pressure to negotiations already aimed at reducing violence in eastern Congo, where multiple armed groups have long operated and where trust between the parties remains fragile.

Doha has been hosting talks intended to keep channels open between the government and rebel representatives. The article indicates that the referendum issue could complicate those efforts, although the public text available does not detail the government’s response or the exact terms being discussed.

More broadly, the situation reflects how constitutional and electoral issues can become tied to armed negotiations in conflict zones. The involvement of UN officials suggests continued mediation efforts, but the immediate significance is that the peace process now faces fresh uncertainty if either side hardens its position.