The March 23 Movement (M23) has reiterated its commitment to the peace process facilitated in Doha, despite a widening rift with the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The statement comes against the backdrop of protracted negotiations and mounting insecurity across eastern provinces, where the humanitarian crisis continues to escalate.
Speaking in Goma on 1 September, Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Congo River Alliance, a politico-military coalition allied with the M23, expressed confidence in Qatari mediation even as disputes with Kinshasa persist. Nangaa emphasised that the rebel coalition remained engaged in Doha as “a gesture of faith in peace”, underscoring the belief that mediation efforts could still prevent further escalation.
The remarks follow the signing of a Declaration of Principles on 19 July, which laid out a roadmap for negotiations scheduled to begin on 8 August, aiming for a peace accord by 18 August. These deadlines, however, have not been met, reflecting the fragility of the dialogue. Nevertheless, Doha has emerged as the principal venue for direct contact between the Congolese government and the M23 in recent weeks (African Union, United Nations).
The M23 has accused the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) of conducting operations in violation of the ceasefire stipulated under the Doha framework. At the same time, Kinshasa insists that the group continues to destabilise the region through its military advances. Nangaa also drew attention to the release of 700 prisoners, an obligation within the Doha agreement, which he said the Congolese government had yet to fully implement. To address these concerns, the M23 has dispatched a two-member team to Doha to focus exclusively on ceasefire mechanisms and prisoner releases.
For its part, President Félix Tshisekedi described the Doha process as a set of “dynamics” aimed at enabling Congolese citizens to “turn the page on violence and shape their own future” (DRC Presidency).
On the ground, the reality remains stark. Since early 2025, the M23 has consolidated its control over several strategic urban centres, including Goma and Bukavu, displacing communities and undermining already fragile local economies. Clashes have intensified in the Fizi Highlands of South Kivu Province, contributing to heightened insecurity. The United Nations estimates that more than 28 million Congolese face acute food insecurity, while over 7 million people remain internally displaced, many subjected to multiple waves of displacement (UN OCHA).
The persistence of violence in eastern DRC is not an isolated phenomenon but reflects a broader regional dynamic that intersects with governance, resource competition, and transnational alliances. The M23’s resurgence since 2022, long after its initial defeat in 2013, underscores the cyclical nature of armed mobilisation in the region. Analysts argue that the Doha mediation is a critical, albeit fragile, opportunity to stabilise relations between Kinshasa and the armed coalition, while also engaging neighbouring states whose security interests remain entangled in the conflict.
As peace efforts continue, questions persist about inclusivity, implementation, and the long-term prospects for stability in a region historically shaped by complex patterns of militarisation and political negotiation.
