Local DRC news reported that direct talks between the Congolese government and the M23 group resumed in Qatar.
Direct negotiations between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the March 23 Movement (M23) have begun again in Doha earlier this week, according to Congolese media and Reuters.
United Nations-backed Radio Okapi reported that over the weekend representatives from both sides arrived in the Gulf state’s capital to resume talks aimed at working towards a ceasefire.
The discussions will focus on laying the foundation for future talks between the DRC and M23.
In April, the DRC government and M23 agreed to a ceasefire in the east of the country following Qatar’s mediation.
Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani had brought together DRC’s President Felix Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame at the Lusail Palace in March, the first such direct meeting between the two leaders since the M23 launched an assault and took control of eastern Congolese cities Goma and Bukavu.
According to Radio Okapi, the M23 group are “seeking concrete confidence-building measures from Kinshasa to advance the process.”
March saw the withdrawal of M23 forces from the northern town of Walikale in a gesture of good faith towards the complete cessation of fighting.
On Thursday, hunders of Congolese forces were transferred from Goma to the Congolese capital Kinshasa.
The Rwandese and Congolese government had set a deadline for an initial draft peace agreement as May 2, with diplomats from both African nations signing a declaration in Washington on April 25 in the presence of United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
M23 forces had previously withdrawn from talks with Congolese authorities, citing EU sanctions on their leaders, and dismissed calls for a ceasefire before capturing Walikale.
The group had also captured key territories causing about 100,000 Congolese to flee. The conflict has reportedly killed more than 7,000 people since January.
The Congolese government and M23 had agreed to over six truces and ceasefires since 2021 that have fallen through before reaching the latest deal following Qatari mediation.
Qatar previously attempted peace talks in January 2023, but the meeting collapsed due to conflicting reports about Tshisekedi’s attendance.
The US, the United Nations and the DRC have long accused M23 of being backed by Rwanda, but Kigali has repeatedly denied those claims.
