DR Congo, M23/AFC Delegations Meet in Doha for First Direct Peace Talks

Delegations representing the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government and the AFC/M23 rebels have held their first direct peace talks in Qatar to discuss a potential ceasefire agreement.

According to a joint communiqué released on Wednesday, both parties agreed to an immediate cessation of hostilities in eastern DRC.

“After frank and constructive discussions, representatives of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the AFC/M23 agreed to work toward concluding a truce that would contribute to the effectiveness of the ceasefire,” said AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka in a statement, which was also broadcast on state television RTNC (Radio-Télévision nationale congolaise).

However, other reports suggest the talks made little progress. Reuters cited sources stating that the Congolese delegation left Qatar with no immediate plans to return after discussions stalled over key issues.

Negotiations reportedly bogged down over technical details and confidence-building measures, including the release of Congo-held prisoners accused of ties to Rwanda and M23. The rebels demanded the release of hundreds of detainees, a condition the DRC government rejected.

“They are asking for too much. They don’t even control two of the 26 provinces,” a government source told Reuters.

“Hundreds of prisoners, charges dropped, convictions overturned—our justice system is independent. We cannot give in to every whim. Crimes have been committed. Some people must pay,” the source added.

A rebel coalition source confirmed that all parties had left Doha after “prerequisites” became an insurmountable “stumbling block” to substantive talks.

Beyond ending legal proceedings against its members, M23 also seeks a commitment from President Félix Tshisekedi to engage in political dialogue.

The talks followed a March 18 meeting in Qatar, where Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani hosted Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, both of whom expressed support for a ceasefire and regional peace efforts.

M23 has made significant military gains since January, capturing eastern Congo’s two largest cities and raising fears of a wider regional conflict.

Meanwhile, fighting has reportedly resumed in Walikale territory, according to a UN sources.

M23 had previously withdrawn from Walikale town, a strategic mining hub, earlier this month, calling it a “goodwill gesture” ahead of the planned peace talks.

The conflict in eastern DRC has already claimed thousands of lives this year and displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians.