The President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Félix Tshisekedi, has announced that peace negotiations with the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group will resume next week in Doha, Qatar. The development comes as the DRC government reiterates its commitment to resolving the ongoing conflict in the eastern provinces through political and diplomatic dialogue.
According to an official statement released by the Congolese presidency late on Sunday, President Tshisekedi emphasised that the government remains steadfast in pursuing a peaceful resolution while safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Doha has served as the principal channel for engagement between Kinshasa and the M23 since the reactivation of hostilities in late 2021. The Qatari capital has facilitated ongoing discussions that culminated in the signing of a Declaration of Principles in July 2025 — a framework that initially envisaged formal negotiations commencing by 8 August and a peace accord by 18 August. However, these deadlines elapsed without progress, reflecting the complexity of the conflict and the deep-rooted grievances underpinning it.
President Tshisekedi’s arrival in Doha coincides with his participation in the Second World Summit for Social Development, scheduled from 4 to 6 November. The Congolese leader commended the mediating efforts of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, whose diplomatic engagement has been instrumental in maintaining communication channels between the parties.
While the presidency’s communiqué did not clarify whether Tshisekedi will personally participate in the renewed talks, the move signals renewed momentum in efforts to stabilise eastern DRC — a region that has endured decades of armed violence and humanitarian distress.
The M23, which has since aligned itself with the broader Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) coalition, has consolidated control over several strategic areas, including the provincial capitals Goma and Bukavu. In territories under its influence, the group has established parallel administrative systems, further eroding state authority and exacerbating governance challenges.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more than 2.4 million people have been displaced since January 2025, bringing the total number of internally displaced persons across the DRC to nearly six million. An estimated one million Congolese have fled to neighbouring countries such as Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi. Simultaneously, food insecurity has reached critical levels, with around 27 million people now facing acute hunger.
The situation underscores the need for a comprehensive peace process that not only addresses immediate security concerns but also confronts the structural issues of marginalisation, displacement, and governance that have fuelled the eastern conflict for decades.
Regional and international actors, including the African Union (AU), the East African Community (EAC), and the United Nations, continue to call for an inclusive approach to peacebuilding that centres the voices of affected communities and promotes a sustainable framework for reconciliation.
As the DRC navigates this pivotal moment, the resumption of dialogue in Doha represents not merely a diplomatic exercise, but a potential turning point in the country’s long and complex journey towards peace and stability — one defined by African-led mediation and a growing insistence on local agency in shaping continental futures.
